One of, the reasons, if not the main reason for this increase is the cost of both petrol and diesel and the current financial climate. People who illegally siphon fuel from cars can then either reuse it themselves or sell it on cheaper than you can get it on the filling station forecourt, pocketing the entire profit for themselves.

This underhand criminal activity has increased by over 50% since January 2009 according to figures reported by the RAC.

Fuel theft is not a new problem at all. It has been around for many years going back as far as 2001, and yet only know are innovative products being made available to businesses and consumers to help tackle the problem.

With many commercial anti syphon devices sold in the United Kingdom (and no doubt in the USA), there has also been a requirement for anti siphon devices for cars and vans. Fortunately there is now an answer as there is a range of new devices available for diesel cars and vans. The latest device will also help prevent fuel theft from a diesel car or van and also stop the major problem of misfuelling.

Mis fuelling is reported to take place once every 3 and a half minutes, and with the high cost and inconvenience of a diesel engine being filled with petrol, this device will cut out expensive repair costs and vehicle downtime.

Car fuel theft will increase as long as fuel prices increase. The devices we have seen on the market cost around ?50 ? the equivalent of a tank of fuel. Installation of an anti fuel theft device decreases the loss of fuel (and money) and downtime inconvenience.

We trialed an anti fuel theft device recently to see what all the fuss was about. The device was easy to install and very discrete and our staged theft was unsuccessful. Full marks all around!

Protecting a car's or van's fuel is a wise move.