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What is petrol syphoning and how can I stop it happening?

WITH panic buyers flocking to petrol stations across the UK - syphoning is on the rise.

But what is fuel syphoning and how can you prevent it from happening? Here's all you need to know...

Syphoning is done using your mouth and a plastic tube
Syphoning is done using your mouth and a plastic tubeCredit: Alamy

What is fuel syphoning? 

Fuel syphoning is the act of manually emptying the contents of your car's fuel tank.

It is done using your mouth, a plastic tube, and the power of suction and gravity.

It is commonly used by criminals to steal petrol and diesel from cars, motorbikes, vans and trucks.

But knowing how to syphon gas isn't just for petty criminals - it is also used to transfer fuel with the permission of the car owner from one vehicle to another.

How can I stop it happening? 

Here are some small changes you can make to prevent your fuel from being stolen.

Always park in well-lit locations.

Park in your driveway whenever possible and if you have to park in the street make sure you’re under street lighting.

Call police if you see suspicious behaviour in your neighborhood.

Position your car so the fuel door is seen from the main road.

There are also things you can purchase to prevent theft - such as an anti-syphoning device which can be attached to your fuel tank.

Fortunately modern cars have an anti-rollover valve on all the openings into a gas tank.

These valves also act as a syphon prevention system.

What should I do if it does happen? 

If your fuel is stolen you should report the incident to the police.

Ask your neighbours if they have any CCTV or doorbell camera footage of the incident.

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