SOARING fuel prices were today blamed for an increase in the number of people driving off without paying at petrol stations.

Colchester's crime reduction officer, Colin Stiff, is warning forecourt staff to be on the lookout.


"We are getting a significant increase in the number of reports of people making off without payment," he explained. "With the price of fuel so high nowadays it is more than a temptation and we are getting more and more reports in the eastern division."