HOME OFFICE RESPONDS TO BOSS CHALLENGE ON NEW GUIDELINES - 20th July 2005
Letter from ACPO NCRS Lead Officer - ACC Cole to all Chief Constables
Driving Off Without Payment
"You may be aware that the Home Office Counting Rules in relation to this offence were changed on 1 st April 2005 following discussion at the National Crime Recording Steering Group.
The new guidance (which can be found under offence code 53B of the Counting Rules) states that reported incidents of making off without payment should only be recorded as a crime if certain aggravating factors such as the absence of a vehicle registration number, evidence of stolen vehicle, etc. are present. Counting Rule guidance does not specify operational procedures but investigation would, of course, be needed to establish whether aggravating factors are present.
Concerns are now being raised about an apparent lack of investigation by police following the receipt of reports from victims. It seems that most of these difficulties are being experienced in those areas where there are no partnerships in place in terms of schemes such as 'Forecourt Watch', for example. The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) is particularly supportive of the introduction of these schemes and the change to the Counting Rules has essentially formalised existing arrangements. Additionally, many forces have also introduced 'self reporting schemes' which have resulted in a far more focused response to reports of such incidents, both from the victim in terms of more appropriate reporting, and the police, in terms of recording and investigating the incident.
The intention of this change to the Counting Rules was to reduce the time spent investigating incidents where, on the balance of probability, criminal intent was the less likely causation factor. Experience has demonstrated that where Forecourt Watch and self reporting schemes are in place the time spent by the police investigating reported incidents of this nature has been reduced significantly. The close working relationship between the police and the industry in those places has also contributed towards excellent intelligence gathering and improved opportunities for crime reduction.
Unfortunately however, it appears that the guidance has been interpreted in some places to mean that the police do not respond at all to such reports. This was clearly not the original intention of this change to the Counting Rules, and we need to be careful that officers are carrying out at least a minimum standard of investigation before determining whether or not a crime should be recorded.
Work to improve the guidance is being progressed via the Steering Group, and further information about Forecourt Watch and self reporting schemes are available via the NCRS Project Manager Superintendent Carl Robinson who is based at the Home Office."
