The Saskatchewan RCMP saw an increase in fuel thefts in 2022.

Mounties say they received 818 reports of theft of fuel last year, an increase of 70% from 2021.

Detachments with the highest amounts of fuel thefts reported were Battlefords with 61, Saskatoon with 58, Shellbrook with 46 and Swift Current with 39.

Mounties add that the reports include 510 incidents where someone fueled up at a service station and left without paying, 117 reported thefts from large fuel tanks or heavy machinery, and 106 reports of thefts from bulk fuel tanks.

Fuel thefts have continued into 2023, including two incidents of gas tank drilling reported to Punnichy RCMP on February 27th.