Fuel Drive Offs: A Growing Threat – CSNA Survey Shows

Members with forecourt facilities understand fuel drive offs are no longer an occasional inconvenience. They’re a growing threat to fuel retailers across Ireland costing the industry millions each year, CSNA has reported.

CSNA surveyed fuel retailing members in June to learn how this growing problem was affecting them, what assistance they received from the Gardai and Courts Service and what might be done to reduce our losses.

“While there is merit in adopting a pre-pay policy, this may only be effective if all of the service stations in the vicinity adopt such a policy” said CSNA CEO Vincent Jennings.

“It also requires accepting that many owners are unwilling to alienate or create barriers for their loyal and trustworthy customers.

“Fuel drive offs,  often dismissed as petty theft, have soared alarmingly in recent months and are hurting  Irish retailers. Our survey discovered that 68% of respondents lose between €50-€100 weekly. This average annual loss of €4,000 extended across 2000 fuel outlets would indicate a conservative estimate for fuel drive offs to be €8m … and growing.

“Retailers report significant uptick  in the number of incidents contributing to financial strain on an already challenging industry. The repercussions extend beyond immediate monetary loss, they ripple through the operational costs, forcing price adjustments and increased security expenditure, creating a cycle that ultimately impacts everyday consumers.

“Gardai have stepped up warnings to retailers, urging vigilance and the adaption of preventative measures to stem the growing issue. Yet while increased watchfulness is a good start, the solution lies deeper in technology and convenience.”

The CSNA survey was answered by 96 owners representing 214 individual service stations.

All have experienced a drive-off in the past 3 months.

70% reported an increase in drive offs in their outlets in the past 3 months.

On frequency, 80% replied “weekly,” 17% said “daily” and 3% responded “monthly ”

CSNA also asked a question about the prevalence of fuel thieves using “false”, “stolen ” or “cloned” number plates:

• Once or twice- 35%
• Three to five times -38%
• More than five times-27%.

Many members commented that presentation of a logbook should be compulsory for anyone seeking licence plates.

There was a degree of dissatisfaction that the Automatic Number Plate recognition system used in Garda vehicles is not more successful in identifying users of false plates .

The  intention  of the survey is to investigate drive offs and non-payment.

“We asked members to discount any incidences of “genuine forgetfulness ” and sought from them the ratio of drive offs- (the driver not coming into the store) and those who elected to either declare they didn’t get fuel, or if their method of payment was declined, did not return to clear their indebtedness” said Vincent.

“70% were drive offs and the other 30% are in the category “payment issues”. Interestingly, we were advised by some retailers that during the recent blockades, on several occasions, motorists refused to pay more than what they had paid the previous occasion they filled up!”

Reporting to An Garda Siochana.

CSNA asked, do you report fuel drive-offs to the Guards.

• All of the time- 42%
• Most incidents are reported- 36%
• Only significant incidents are reported- 22%.

CSNA also asked “On the most recent interaction with the Gardai regarding a drive off/non payment, what was the response time?”

• Less than 2 hours- 26%
• Less than 6 hours – 11%
• Less than 12 hours – 14%
• Less than 24 hours – 11%
• 24-48 hours – 18%
• More than 48 hours – 20%

Compensation/Restitution

• 50% said “sometimes “
• 45% said “never,
• 5% replied “always”.

This compensation/ restitution relates to culprits apprehended by the Gardai and advised to pay for the fuel before a Court hearing.

Finally, CSNA invited members to make observations or suggestions on preventing this growing concern:

• Many respondents argued that there should be a system in place to provide information about the contact details of the registered car owners, a system that the owners of toll roads in Ireland have to track down those who fail to pay for the M50 .
• Much stiffer penalties, including the impounding of vehicles used in what is, after all, a crime.
• A central data base to alert service stations about known offenders.

A nationwide protocol to be adopted by all investigating Gardai who will be familiar with the entitlement of a victim, be they a sole trader or a company to receive compensation from the perpetrator by way of a Court Order or Attatchment Order.

The Programme for Government has referred to grants for Retail Security- this coming Budget needs to provide detailed information on this.

The Association has sought meetings with both An Garda Siochana and the Department of Justice to progress this matter.