Every petrol pump 'will be prepay by 2011'

The soaring cost of unleaded and diesel has seen an increase in instances of people driving off from forecourts without paying.

Petrol retailers say their fuel theft bill has risen by several million pounds.

Prepay pumps would prevent petrol theft

The prepay system, where drivers have to swipe a debit or credit card at the pump before they can get any petrol, is already used widely in the U.S.

The amount the driver has spent is automatically deducted from the swiped card, making it impossible not to pay for filling up.

Some UK forecourts already have the prepay system, particularly those at supermarkets.

Petrol stations will still be manned by staff selling items from the shop, such as sweets, sandwiches and road maps.

Britain has not rushed to introduce the system because around one in three drivers still pay in cash.

This is thought to be particularly common in rural areas, where many buy fuel £10 or £20 at a time and pay by cash as it is quicker and easier to budget for.

But recent increases in petrol prices means it is costing more to fill up a car, so drivers are using cards to pay.

Petrol Retailers Association boss Ray Holloway said: 'The industry's fuel theft bill has risen by several million pounds a year.

'One forecourt owner told us he was losing around £1,400 a month.'