VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft

By Rob Kelly

12 Sep 2025

David Nichol John Garnett Aydan Jones and Laura Tilley

Blackpool based market leader in forecourt protection and fuel theft prevention business VARS Technology has signed an exclusive three-year partnership with debt resolution provider DCBL.

The partnership combines VARS’ advanced prevention systems with DCBL’s ethical, people-first recovery services to help retailers combat fuel crime, which has surged in recent years.

With research from the British Oil Security Syndicate showing that drive-offs rose from 7.6 per cent of crimes per site in 2020 to 28.4 per cent in 2024, with the highest levels reported in London.

VARS Technology provides advanced technology designed to detect and prevent fuel drive-offs through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, which instantly alert forecourt staff when a vehicle linked to previous drive-offs or no-means-of-payment incidents enters the site.

The company maintains a national blacklist of more than 72,000 vehicles, shared across a growing network of over 1,300 forecourts, helping retailers take proactive steps to reduce theft.

The company also provides facial recognition technology to identify repeat offenders, manages parking and EV charging bay misuse, and recovers losses quickly with proven debt recovery processes.

In 2024 alone, VARS Technology handled more than 85,000 incidents of fuel theft or non-payment, recovering over £2.8m for operators.

The renewal of its partnership with DCBL will ensure that VARS Technology’s clients will receive not only cutting-edge prevention tools but also responsible, transparent, and effective debt resolution when incidents occur.

John Garnett, director at VARS Technology, said: “Renewing our contract with DCBL as our exclusive provider was a strategic decision, underpinned not only by performance but by shared values.

“Their people are an extension of our team – professional, compassionate, and aligned with our standards.

"DCBL’s ability to innovate while remaining customer-focused means they’re raising the bar for responsible debt resolution. They’re not just a supplier; they’re a partner that protects our brand and supports our values.” 

Lee Samuels-Camozzi, group strategy director at DCBL, added: “We are thrilled to renew our partnership with VARS Technology as their exclusive provider.

"This partnership demonstrates that DCBL is about more than parking debt resolution. Fuel theft is a growing challenge, and VARS Technology’s innovations are giving forecourts the ability to prevent incidents before they happen. We’re proud to complement that with our ethical and effective recovery services.

“At DCBL, we invest continually in our people, processes, and technology to set the standard for responsible debt resolution. VARS is more than a client, it is a trusted partner who shares our values of integrity, professionalism, and care.”

DCBL is a leading participant across numerous industries including the parking industry, and strives to maintain and improve standards across the sectors.

It recently launched its Tackling Credit in 2025 campaign, which has seen the company provide the tools, resources, and support necessary to help its customers regain financial independence and take the stress out of debt.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Bellway to build 183 high quality new homes Royal Bowland Park street scene NEW.jpg.jpg

Bellway to build 183 high quality new homes

29 Oct 2025

2

University of Lancashire recognised for entrepreneurship and supporting business growth - Representatives from the University's Business School, local SMEs and the IOEE

University of Lancashire recognised for entrepreneurship and supporting business growth

29 Oct 2025

3

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire BAE Typhoon ECRS Mk2 Radar

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire

28 Oct 2025

4

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold The Mill at Conder Green

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold

28 Oct 2025

5

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm PM+M promotions

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm

27 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event
Holiday Inn Hotel
Networking
28 Oct 2025 - 18 Nov 2025

November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event

Holiday Inn, Blackpool

16:46 - 16:45

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The AI Lab: E-commerce
Ai Lab ecommerce (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin