Key Points
- Police Scotland crime prevention officers say fuel thefts are rising across Scotland, including Greater Glasgow and wider mainland and island areas.
- Thieves are targeting domestic heating oil, petrol, diesel, fuel in vehicle tanks, and supplies stored at farms, construction sites and commercial premises.
- Police say the rise is linked to recent fuel price increases and speculation about possible shortages.
- Officers have issued prevention advice, including better visibility, fewer access points, stronger locks, alarms, anti-siphoning devices, and fuel management systems.
- Report suspicious people or vehicles to Police Scotland on 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) May 12, 2026 – Police Scotland crime prevention officers have warned that brazen thieves are siphoning fuel from tanks, cars, farms and building sites across Glasgow and beyond, as reports of thefts continue to rise across Scotland.
As reported by the Scottish Rural Network, Police Scotland Crime Prevention Officers said fuel thefts are being recorded across both mainland and island areas, with criminals targeting domestic heating oil, petrol and diesel, fuel stored in vehicle tanks, and agricultural, construction and commercial fuel supplies.
The warning matters for households, businesses and rural operators because fuel is often stored in larger quantities at unattended or lightly monitored locations. Police said the increase is linked to recent fuel price rises and speculation about possible shortages.
What advice have police issued?
Police advice focuses on making fuel harder to reach, harder to siphon and easier to monitor. Officers said tanks should, where possible, be positioned where they can be seen from a habitable building such as a farmhouse or site office.
They also advised keeping access points to a minimum, closing and locking gates, and blocking unused entrances. Police recommended Secured by Design-approved locks, gates and fencing, with strict control over keys to prevent unauthorised use or copying.
The guidance also includes fitting tank alarms or remote monitoring systems, using locking caps and anti-siphoning devices, and considering perimeter intrusion detection systems on high-risk exposed sites. Where fencing is not practical, officers said bollards or other vehicle barriers can help restrict access.
What measures can businesses use?
Police said fuel management systems can be important where there are many users or where the tank is out of sight. Such systems should record who used fuel, and when it was used.
The advice also urges operators to reduce the amount of fuel stored on site where possible, particularly at remote or rural locations. Officers said visible lighting, regular checks, and attention to suspicious activity can also help deter theft.
In practical terms, that means businesses and households are being asked to treat fuel storage in a similar way to other high-value assets. The emphasis is on prevention rather than recovery after a theft has already happened.
What should people report?
Police Scotland urged people to report sightings of suspicious persons or vehicles as soon as possible. The force said non-emergency reports should be made by calling 101, while 999 should be used if a crime is in progress.
The advice specifically notes that suspicious activity may be more obvious around delivery times or in remote places. Residents and businesses are therefore being asked to keep watch for unusual vehicles, repeated visits or signs that fuel levels are dropping unexpectedly.
Background
Fuel theft has long been a concern in rural policing, but the latest warning suggests the problem is now being felt more widely across Scotland. Police and rural crime groups have repeatedly issued similar alerts in recent years, stressing that thieves often target visible, poorly secured or isolated tanks.
Previous police and safety guidance has recommended the same core measures now being repeated: locking caps, alarms, secure fencing, outdoor lighting, CCTV and reduced fuel storage. The current alert fits that broader pattern, with officers again stressing that simple barriers and faster reporting can limit losses.
Prediction
For households, farms, haulage firms, construction sites and other fuel users, the likely effect is a sharper focus on security spending and routine checks. Some operators may choose to install alarms, improve fencing or reduce the amount of fuel they keep on site.
For the public, the main short-term impact is likely to be more awareness of suspicious vehicles and increased reporting to police. If fuel theft continues at the current level, greater Glasgow and other parts of Scotland may see more preventative policing advice and more businesses tightening access to tanks and storage areas.
