Data from several European countries shows a clear trend. Diesel theft from heavy goods vehicles and construction machinery is increasing in line with rising fuel prices.
In Germany, in the Ludwigsburg region (Baden-Württemberg), incidents involving more than 3,000 litres of stolen diesel were recorded over a short period, and in individual cases, hundreds of litres of fuel have disappeared from parked truck-and-trailer combinations and machinery. In other regions of the country, thefts of several thousand litres in a single incident have also been reported, especially on large construction sites.
Fuel theft has increased significantly recently. According to the Criminal Police Office in Saxony-Anhalt, losses caused by diesel theft in March amounted to around €189,000. This was almost three times more than in February, when the figure was around €65,000.
A similar phenomenon is being observed in Poland and neighboring countries – police point out that particularly at risk are vehicles left in unguarded truck parks and on construction sites, where perpetrators operate at night, taking advantage of poor lighting and a lack of supervision.
In many cases, losses do not end with the fuel itself. There is also damage to tanks, leaks, and operational downtime, which generate additional costs for transport companies.
France: tough penalties for fuel theft
In France, fuel theft is treated as a theft offence under the French Criminal Code. If perpetrators are caught in the act, they face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to €45,000, according to French transport website Les Routiers.
Depending on the circumstances of the case (theft in a group, use of force, or repeat offending), penalties may be even harsher. In the case of minor thefts worth up to €300, an on-the-spot fine of between €250 and €600 may be issued, provided that, among other conditions, the stolen property is returned or compensation for the damage is paid.
Even so, police admit that the scale of the phenomenon is growing, and perpetrators are increasingly acting professionally, using specialist equipment to siphon fuel.
Impact on companies: from direct losses to cash-flow pressure
Experts and carriers point out that fuel theft is having increasingly serious financial consequences. With diesel prices high, the one-off loss of several hundred liters means not only an operational loss, but often also cash-flow disruption.
The scale of the problem is also visible in specific transport company figures. Nazaire Quincé, CEO of the French haulage company Transports Quincé, told transport-info.fr that last year the company lost more than 13,800 liters of fuel, and in January 2026 alone a theft of 5,207 liters was recorded, translating into a loss of around €6,750. As he emphasizes, fuel theft is becoming an organized-crime phenomenon, and the authorities are not treating the problem as a priority.
Similar experiences are described by Nicolas Combemorel, head of Transports Boucheix and Limatrans, who estimates his losses from fuel theft at around €15,000 last year. The carrier also points to the lack of effectiveness of proceedings – in his view, filing reports often brings no results, and cases are dropped.
After the March and April fuel price hikes, carriers’ losses are rising dramatically. In extreme cases, repeated incidents can contribute to a loss of profitability and even bankruptcy – especially when combined with other sector problems such as payment backlogs or rising leasing costs.
What do police recommend?
Authorities across Europe stress that most thefts involve vehicles parked in poorly lit and unguarded locations.
Police urge people to report suspicious behaviour and note that thieves often target vehicles left for the weekend or for a longer stop, especially on the outskirts of parking areas and construction sites.
How to reduce the risk of fuel theft
Industry experts indicate that eliminating the risk entirely is difficult, but it can be significantly reduced.
Recommended solutions include, among others, anti-siphon mesh inserts, reinforced locking caps, fuel filler locks, as well as alarm systems, fuel level sensors and telematics monitoring that allows consumption to be tracked in real time.
Operational practices are equally important: parking in well-lit areas, positioning the fuel filler next to a wall or another vehicle, and using guarded truck parks. In practice, this can extend the time needed to steal the fuel and effectively deter perpetrators.
