The worst areas for ‘bilking’ in East Lancashire have been revealed through data provided by the police.

Bilking is the criminal act of making off from a petrol station without making payment and is a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1978.

A person convicted of this offence could face a jail term of up to two years if dealt with through a crown court, or up to six months with a fine if convicted by a magistrates’ court.

Through a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 made to Lancashire Police, statistics showing the worst areas for this offence in East Lancashire have been revealed.

Kitchens Services in Trafalgar Street, BurnleyKitchens Services in Trafalgar Street, Burnley (Image: Google Maps)

Burnley was found to be the worst borough for bilking in 2023 with 135 recorded offences and was one of only two boroughs to record more than 100 instances of it.

The worst area in Burnley was Trinity ward, which covers a small area of Rose Hill and stretches over to Burnley Barracks railway station and includes Manchester Road station.

In this area, there is a Shell petrol station on Trafalgar Street and an Esso garage on Barracks Road.

READ MORE: Man jailed for string of fuel thefts including in Nelson

Burnley is already leading the way in 2024 as well, with 107 recorded bilking offences across the town and 44 already recorded in the Trinity ward.

Data from the police for 2024 is recorded up to the end of September.

In Blackburn with Darwen, there were 50 recorded offences in 2023, with the highest number being in Queens Park & Audley, which had 17.

The ward also has the highest number so far this year with 15.

The most improved borough is the Ribble Valley, which recorded 61 offences last year and only has 23 so far this year – a difference of 38.

The Co-Op petrol station in BarrowThe Co-Op petrol station in Barrow (Image: Google Maps)

Wiswell and Barrow was the worst affected ward in 2023 with 21 offences, though only has five so far this year. Salthill leads the way with 10.

The Whitefield ward in Pendle already has more offences this year (20) than it did in the whole of last year (18).

Overton has been the worst-hit area in Hyndburn with 17 offences in 2023 and seven so far this year, level with Church.

Rossendale sits not too far behind Burnley, with 101 recorded offences in 2023 and 78 in 2024, with Greenfield (30) topping the list so far.