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West Midlands Police partners have issued an official budget protection brief via the WMP Benevolent Fund following a severe surge in UK fuel costs, which has pushed the cost of filling a standard family vehicle over the £100 threshold. Driven by global supply route disruptions and localized panic-buying, fuel prices are climbing quickly. Because high pump prices have also triggered a 30% spike in regional fuel thefts and drive-offs, the West Midlands Police - Wolverhampton team is actively working with local forecourts while offering financial and security guidance to residents in Wednesfield and Heath Town. Actionable Tactics to Protect Your Fuel Budget To offset the financial strain of soaring petrol and diesel prices, the force's financial support partners at Pay-Plan recommend optimizing your vehicle's consumption: Shop Away from Major Service Stations: Pump prices can vary by up to 20p to 30p per litre depending on the provider. Avoid highway service stations and use digital tools like the PetrolPrices App to find the lowest local rates. Optimize Gear Selection & Speed: Eliminate harsh braking and rapid acceleration. Driving smoothly and transitioning into higher gears as early as safely possible lowers engine revolutions and optimizes fuel economy. Perform Regular Door-Frame Checks: Underinflated tyres create higher rolling resistance, drastically increasing fuel consumption. Locate the correct PSI bar rating on the sticker inside your driver-side door frame and check your tyres weekly. Lighten the Vehicle Load: Remove heavy, unnecessary items or unused roof racks from your car. Carrying extra weight directly penalizes your fuel efficiency during stop-and-start city driving. Local Fuel Theft & Fraud Prevention In conjunction with budget management, Wednesfield and Heath Town officers have stepped up multi-agency operations at crowded retail spaces like Bentley Bridge Shopping Park to safeguard local infrastructure: Check Pump Pricing Transparency: Always verify that the price per litre displayed on the external station totem matches the physical display on the pump handle before dispensing fuel. Report discrepancies to Staffordshire & West Midlands Trading Standards. Secure Your Fuel Cap: If parking your car in public areas or residential streets across Heath Town, ensure your vehicle's locking fuel cap is fully functional to mitigate the risk of fuel siphoning. Thank You. | 
