LONDON - Fearing a sharp increase in theft attempts commensurate with the recent VAT and fuel tax increase, gas stations across Britain have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars increasing their security, the Daily Mail reports.

Retailers fear the 3.5 pence per liter tax increase (20.5 cents U.S. per gallon) will lead to more drive-offs, and as such, many have improved their CCTV cameras and alarms while reinforcing padlocks on their underground storage tanks.

Additionally, BP, Shell and Texaco are now employing "tough" credit agencies to go after people who claim to have forgotten money after fueling their gas tanks.

The measures are not overblown reactions. Indeed, organized gangs armed with tankers have drained underground tanks at gas stations six times in the past six months.

Brian Madderson, chairman of the Retail Motor Industry, said he believed the new security measures would help prevent theft.

"[W]e saw an increase in the number of people presenting themselves at the till claiming to have no means of payment," Madderson said. "They fill up, come inside and burst into tears saying: 'I've got no money and no credit card €" I will come back and pay.' But they don't."

'We are now seeing thieves coming in with tankers and breaking into underground tanks when the stations are closed. They siphon off the whole tank into the tankers and leave. We have had about six such incidents in the past six months."

There are roughly 10,500 gasoline stations in the U.K., and a CCTV system with license plate recognition costs about £15,000 ($23,322 U.S.).

Debbie Brown, manager of gas station in Widley, Hampshire, said her station experienced two drive-offs in the past week.

"The thefts come in phases but we have had two this week. They just fill up and drive off," Brown said. "It's going to get worse as prices have gone up with the VAT. The price increase is just going to create more problems."