THE COST OF FORECOURT CRIME INCREASED BY 13% DURING 2007
Estimated total losses suffered by the forecourt retailers in Britain during 2007 increased by 13% according to the latest Forecourt Crime Statistics that are compiled by BOSS - the British Oil Security Syndicate - the independent organisation campaigning to reduce crime at Britain's petrol service stations.
The annual BOSS survey of crime at Britain’s 9,271 petrol station forecourts estimated that total losses during 2007 were £32.5 million [2006: £28.7 million]. Eighty seven percent of losses came from driving off without paying and claiming to have no means of payment and losses resulting from these types of incidents rose to £28.6m in 2007 from £23.8m in 2006; an increase of 20.2%.
The figures show that during 2007 the average value of driving off without paying incidents was £35 and the average value of a claim for no means of payment was £27.
Kevin Eastwood, executive director of BOSS, said:
"Crime on forecourts remains at unacceptable levels. During 2007 industry losses increased by 13% overall with losses attributable to driving off without paying and no means of payment up 20%. To some extent these are driven by fuel prices and by December 2007 were more than 15% higher than a year earlier. Reports from our members suggest that there has been a further noticeable increase in driving off without paying during the first quarter of 2008.
Increased cost of fuel has made petrol stations a target for theft but by working with the police and regional agencies considerable efforts are being made to reduce the incidence of this type of crime. Where effective crime reduction strategies are introduced there have been noticeable reductions in the level of losses. During the year ahead BOSS will be working with its members to make forecourts safer places to work and shop and we will continue to focus on reducing theft, anti-social-behaviour, assaults on staff, burglary and robbery.
Key in the fight against petrol service station crime is the BOSS Forecourt Watch scheme, local campaigns which are established to protect and safeguard the well-being of customers and staff. BOSS Forecourt Watch initiatives operate in over 70 areas across the UK. Results from BOSS Forecourt Watch schemes have seen forecourt crime tumble by more than 50%. Following on from these successes trials are being conducted to improve their efficiency and effectiveness".
The rates of loss per 100 sites quoted below are based on those suffered by BOSS members.
• There is an ongoing drive to improve safety and tighten site security. The incidence of Crime Related Injuries rose slightly to 1.3 per 100 sites [2006:1.2]. There was a steep rise in the last quarter of 2007.
• Robberies fell slightly to 7.7 incidents per 100 sites [2006: 8.9] and losses were also down at £10,853 per 100 sites [2006: £18,666].
• The Burglary incident rate fell slightly to 11.8 incidents per 100 sites. [2006: 12.2] Losses were lower at £13,530 per 100 sites [2006: £18,541].
• The rate for Weapon related incidents fell to 6.2 per 100 [2006: 7.0]. Reporting of guns fell to 1.4 per 100 sites [2005: 2.4]. The rate of incidents involving knives, however, was substantially up at 2.4 [2005: 1.8] and reports of other weapons fell to 2.4 [2006: 2.9].
• Driving off without payment ( including losses due to motorists who claim to have No Means to Pay , sign for their debt but fail to return to pay) represents 87% of industry financial losses and during 2007 incidents of this type cost £311,359 per 100 sites [2006: £258,751], up 20%.
Note to editors:
BOSS (The British Oil Security Syndicate) BOSS (The British Oil Security Syndicate) is an independent trade organisation campaigning to reduce forecourt crime. Formed in 1991 by the oil industry, its members include BP, Esso, Shell, Texaco, Total and the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA). BOSS is supported by the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA), the Association of Payment Clearing Services (APACS), Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
For further information about BOSS, contact Kevin Eastwood on 01926 864757 or e-mail kevine@bossuk.org .
THE FIGHT AGAINST FORECOURT CRIME CONTINUES
