The only way to stop petrol pump thieves | Brief letters
July 26, 2026 6:11am
Fuelling up | Child health | Burnham spirit | DIY disasterI was once visiting Massachusetts in the US and forgot to take my card into the gas station before fil...
Fuelling up | Child health | Burnham spirit | DIY disasterI was once visiting Massachusetts in the US and forgot to take my card into the gas station before filling up (‘A guy did a runner in a Jaguar’: the petrol theft scandal– and the garage owner struggling to stop it, 21 July). After some loudspeaker remonstration, I took my card in, apologising that I’d forgotten as we don’t do that in the UK. The owner almost fell on the floor laughing. The Guardian reported this update on 2026-07-23 with additional details in the linked source coverage.
5-Second Takeaway
Fuelling up | Child health | Burnham spirit | DIY disasterI was once visiting Massachusetts in the US and forgot to take my card into the gas station before filling up (‘A guy did a runner in a Jaguar’: the petrol theft scandal– and the garage owner struggling to stop it, 21 July).
Why This Matters
After some loudspeaker remonstration, I took my card in, apologising that I’d forgotten as we don’t do that in the UK. The owner almost fell on the floor laughing.
What Changed
- The Guardian published this report on 2026-07-23.
- The headline focus is "The only way to stop petrol pump thieves | Brief letters".
- Fuelling up | Child health | Burnham spirit | DIY disasterI was once visiting Massachusetts in the US and forgot to take my card into the gas station before filling up (‘A guy did a runner in a Jaguar’: the petrol theft scandal– and the garage owner struggling to stop it, 21 July).
- After some loudspeaker remonstration, I took my card in, apologising that I’d forgotten as we don’t do that in the UK.
- The owner almost fell on the floor laughing.
- “How do you stop people stealing gas?” he asked.
- Sadly, it’s time we did start not releasing pumps until we have cash or a card deposit on hand.Paul Taroni.
- Alton, Hampshire• I shall always remember the health visitor who came to see me after my youngest son was born, nearly 50 years ago (Letters, 21 July).
Key Facts
- The Guardian published this report on 2026-07-23.
- The headline focus is "The only way to stop petrol pump thieves | Brief letters".
- Fuelling up | Child health | Burnham spirit | DIY disasterI was once visiting Massachusetts in the US and forgot to take my card into the gas station before filling up (‘A guy did a runner in a Jaguar’: the petrol theft scandal– and the garage owner struggling to stop it, 21 July).
- After some loudspeaker remonstration, I took my card in, apologising that I’d forgotten as we don’t do that in the UK.
Key Numbers
- The Guardian published this report on 2026-07-23.
- Fuelling up | Child health | Burnham spirit | DIY disasterI was once visiting Massachusetts in the US and forgot to take my card into the gas station before filling up (‘A guy did a runner in a Jaguar’: the petrol theft scandal– and the garage owner struggling to stop it, 21 July).
- Alton, Hampshire• I shall always remember the health visitor who came to see me after my youngest son was born, nearly 50 years ago (Letters, 21 July).