Increasing fuel costs and inflation will push people already doing it tough over the edge, Letele said.
“These people are going to be trying to siphon petrol to then sell it. So it’s an absolute disgrace.”
He called on the Government to provide support to people who are struggling.
“Otherwise, we’re going to create more and more need that we’re never going to recover from. There is more of this wave of crime coming, I’m telling you right now.”
Community activist and former boxer David Letele. Photo / Getty Images
It comes after a heating and ventilation worker said diesel had been siphoned out of his work truck on the weekend, as reported by Stuff.
The man was shocked to discover yesterday that his entire tank of diesel had been siphoned out.
The police said they don’t keep specific data on this particular issue and “it would be too soon to observe any kind of trends”.
Fuel prices have continued to soar across the country as the Middle East conflict entered its third week.
The average price of unleaded 91 petrol in New Zealand passed $3 a litre yesterday for the first time since June 2022, according to fuel tracking app Gaspy – an increase from the $2.49 average 13 days ago.
The price increase has even caused auto stores across Auckland to sell out of petrol containers as some Kiwis look to stock up on fuel.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said on Sunday there was about 50 days of petrol and diesel in the country, or on its way here.
“There isn’t any need to panic-buy,” she said.