The number of petrol "drive-offs" in Queensland has more than tripled over the last five years, police figures show.
Statistics from the Queensland Police Service reveal the number of drive-offs across the state increased from about 4500 in 2009/10 to 14,600 in 2013/14.
The South-Eastern Region, which includes the Gold Coast and Logan, had the highest number of reported drive-offs over the past five years.
In the last financial year, however, the number of drive-offs in the region decreased 8 per cent from 5103 to 4831.
In the same period, the number of petrol drive-offs increased 14 per cent in Ipswich and on the Darling Downs, west of Brisbane.
RACQ executive manager of public policy Michael Roth said the rate of drive-offs was linked to vehicle and number plate thefts, rather than high fuel prices.
"This is not a story about poor motorists taking fuel. This is a story about criminal activity," Mr Roth said.
"Despite CCTV security measures, brazen thieves were going to great lengths to steal fuel."
Mr Roth called on police to place more emphasis on catching car, numberplate and fuel thieves.
"This is a serious crime that is clearly not going away," he said.
"We need to see a strong message to the community that this type of offending won't be tolerated and if people commit these offences they will get caught and prosecuted."
