According to the Saskatchewan RCMP, fuel thefts were up 70 per cent in 2022.

In total, police received 818 reports of theft of diesel or gas from across the province.

That total consists of 510 reports of someone fueling up at a service station and leaving without paying, 177 reports of theft from large fuel tanks or heavy machinery and 106 reports of theft from bulk fuel tanks at businesses, farms and rural municipalities.

The remainder include reports of thefts of jerry cans and similar containers.

The detachments that saw the highest number of fuel thefts are the Battlefords (61), Saskatoon (58), Shellbrook (46) and Swift Current (39).

Reports of fuel thefts have continued in 2023, including two incidents of gas tank drilling reported to Punnichy RCMP on February 27.

The Saskatchewan RCMP offered tips to help prevent fuel theft, including:

• Lock privately-owned fuel tanks and ensure they are in a well-lit area
• Set up video or photo surveillance in areas where you have a privately-owned fuel tank
• If possible, park vehicles in a locked garage or outbuilding or park in a well-lit, frequently-travelled location
• Park with your fuel door facing a frequently-travelled road
• If possible, don’t park in one area, or leave a vehicle unattended, for an extended period
• If your vehicle has an alarm, activate it when leaving it unattended
• Report suspicious activity to the police: even if it does not involve your vehicle, if you see suspicious activity occurring, report it