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

Gearing up for blossoming Red Rose Awards 2026 Red Rose Awards 2026 launch event

Gearing up for blossoming Red Rose Awards 2026

06 Oct 2025

2

New managing director at Freedom Heat Pumps Graham McCracken

New managing director at Freedom Heat Pumps

06 Oct 2025

3

Rising costs force chocolate-maker’s closure Beech's Fine Chocolate

Rising costs force chocolate-maker’s closure

06 Oct 2025

4

Double digit promotions across Napthens Group 10 promotions at Napthens Group

Double digit promotions across Napthens Group

03 Oct 2025

5

Tourism Unsung Hero finalists revealed Jenny Moss Kate Pollard Peter Martland Andy Black

Tourism Unsung Hero finalists revealed

01 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
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

The Future of Work: Tech, teams and thriving in a changing world
Oct PTC.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
07 Oct 2025 - 07 Oct 2025

The Future of Work: Tech, teams and thriving in a changing world

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – October
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 Oct 2025 - 07 Oct 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – October

Soul Bowl, Morecambe, LA4 4BU

08:00 - 10:00

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace
Muted Blue (4).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
08 Oct 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

HR Recharge: Empowering today’s workforce, transforming tomorrow’s workplace

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:30

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

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