85 per cent of petrol thefts still unsolved

The figures, revealed after a Freedom of Information Act request, showed 432 drivers attempted to escape petrol forecourts without paying last year.

Of those offences, eight were settled with a community resolution, 15 people had the crime taken into consideration with other charges, five people were cautioned and 23 people were charged.

But 367 incidents still remain “undetected” by West Yorkshire Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Jeffrey of Kirklees CID said the force is working hard to improve its detection rate.

He said: “A great deal of work has been put into combating fuel thefts and this remains ongoing.

“By working with retailers in certain locations which have suffered higher levels of crime we have been able to reduce offending levels at those garages which have been hardest hit. We recognise there is a long way to go however.

“Officers have been working with garages to help them improve security through target hardening and improve detection methods from CCTV.

“Each NPT also allocates officers to be dedicated contacts