PETROL theft in Australia is out of control, up as much as 150 per cent in two years.

A News Limited investigation reveals not only the blowout, but increasingly desperate responses by state governments, police, fuel companies and service station operators. These include:

FUNDING universities to "design out crime" at servos;

INSTALLING "tamper resistant screws" in numberplates for free, based on the link between plate and petrol theft;

ROLLING out prepayment technology, even though this could push up the price of fuel.... Petrol theft surges 150 per cent in two years to record highs as casual crims fill up and flee | News.com.au