Abuse incidents at UK petrol stations have doubled amid soaring fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict. Data reveals a 115% jump in aggressive and anti-social behavior toward staff, comparing the first two weeks of March to February.

Joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran started February 28, sparking widespread fuel cost increases and heightened tensions at forecourts.

Sharp Rises in Major Cities

Most March cases involved isolated acts of threatening or aggressive conduct against workers. Bristol, Newcastle, and Leeds reported the largest spikes, each surpassing 150% growth in confrontations.

Vars Technology, which provides facial recognition systems to retailers, compiled the data. Aggressive incidents remained stable at other retail outlets.

Vars Technology director John Garnett stated: “The rise in fuel prices has had a far bigger impact on the way people treat forecourt staff than it has on levels of fuel theft, which has only risen a small percentage on the sites we work with. Anyone working in the industry understands that forecourt operators aren’t profiteering or price gouging and instead are doing their best to minimise price rises for customers. However that message isn’t coming through from Government. These figures clearly show the impact this is having on forecourt workers just trying to do their job.”

Oil Prices Climb 35% Since Conflict Erupted

Wholesale oil prices have surged 35% since the war’s onset. Crude oil, a core element in petrol and diesel, drives these pump price hikes.

An average petrol tank now costs £86.92, up £13.86 from pre-conflict levels, according to the RAC. Diesel tanks reach £105.11, a £26.80 increase.

The RAC warns against expecting sharp pump price drops soon. The AA observes that wholesale fuel costs have fallen below early-week levels.