Fuel theft is exploding across Australia as petrol and diesel prices reach record highs, as police warn they no longer have the resources to chase every drive-off.
Petrol drive-offs jumped from 162 to 221 in a single week in South Australia, marking an increase of 37 per cent. Half of the drivers responsible are understood to be first-time offenders.
The incidents have prompted South Australian Police to urge petrol stations to install prepaid fuel systems to combat drive-offs. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said officers would not be chasing petrol thieves unless servos took precautionary measures.
'With the cost-of-living pressures that people are dealing with, the significant increases in fuel costs, we will see more petrol drive-offs in the weeks to come,' Commissioner Grant Stevens said.
'I can't compel the retail fuel sector to take these steps, but what I can do is manage how police deal with these offences,' he said.
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