EAST AYRSHIRE FORECOURT WATCH GOES LIVE

 

Strathclyde Police and the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) are launching the East Ayrshire Forecourt Watch, at 1000 am on April 8 at Cumnock Police Station, in a bid to reduce crime on service stations .

 

All petrol retailers in the area have joined the scheme, which will target those people who drive off without paying for their fuel, and use service stations as a route to commit more serious crimes.

 

Using a "Ring-round" system, Forecourt Watch will provide local petrol retailers with an early warning of any crimes being committed on service stations in their area, together with details of the suspects and their vehicles.   The system enables staff to be alert in case a car comes onto their forecourt to fill up the next time.   When a service station suffers a drive-off, staff report it to the police.  

 

The scheme will also provide the police with information about suspect vehicles and general intelligence.

 

BOSS co-ordinator for Scotland, Jim Anderson said: "Criminals need both a vehicle and fuel which they are likely to steal.   By targeting drive-offs we can prevent other crimes being committed and ensure that service stations remain safe places for staff and customers."

 

Chief inspector Hugh McKnight, sub divisional officer for the Cumnock area, added: "We know that the people who commit crime on service stations are often involved in more serious crime such as drugs, robbery and burglary.   It is in our interests to tackle forecourt crime so that we can solve other crime in East Ayrshire.   This partnership will prove a very effective way of achieving our goal."

 

The scheme has been running for a trial period and chief inspector McKnight believes it has already proved valuable and will make it more difficult for criminals to travel about without being noticed.

 

Th Forecourt Watch initiative is currently running in over 40 areas across the UK. There are two other schemes in Ayrshire which have seen a substantial reduction in forecourt crime.

                                                 

Figures released by BOSS in 2002 revealed a substantial reduction in the cost of forecourt crime and are proof that by working together BOSS, police and petrol retailers deliver results.  

                                                                                                                                                         

BOSS estimates that the crime throughout Britain, excluding credit card fraud, cost the oil industry £19 million last year compared to £28 million in 2000, and £35 million in 1998.

One area where BOSS and its member companies are particularly active is addressing the rising levels of assaults on forecourt staff.

 

Formed in 1991 by the oil industry, BOSS is steered and funded by the leading petroleum companies. BP, Chevron Texaco, Esso, Jet, Q8, Shell and TotalFinaElf are members. It is supported by the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA), the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Association of Payment Clearing Services (APACS).