November 26 2001
New security scheme to halt crime on Sussex's forecourts
A PIONEERING trial aimed at reducing petrol station crime will
be launched by Sussex Police in partnership with the British
Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) on Tuesday November 27.
The East Downs Forecourt Watch is the first of its kind to
be introduced in Sussex and will give petrol retailers clearer
guidance on how to report crime and share information about
criminals.
If the trial in East Downs division is successful, the scheme
could be extended to cover the entire Sussex Police area, creating
a watertight channel of communication between retailers.
More than 120 representatives from local petrol stations, the
oil industry, other police divisions in Sussex and other forces
nationwide will attend the special conference on Tuesday to
launch the initiative. Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo will
open proceedings.
He said: "A consistent approach to offences like forecourt
crime should help to develop understanding of the issues and
cultivate mutual respect and confidence between petrol retailers
and the police. Sussex Police supports the idea of the adoption
of a standard reporting system."
Forecourt crime - including shoplifting, burglary, robbery
and drive-offs - costs petrol retailers more than £50m
each year in lost revenue. Motorists driving off without paying
for their fuel cost the industry in excess of £11m and
Sussex is no exception.
To combat these statistics, local police have worked closely
with BOSS to tackle two of these areas which most regularly
affect petrol retailers.
Firstly, the Bilking Project (also known as drive-off project)
helps petrol stations to deal with offenders who fill up and
drive-off without paying. Such offences have doubled in the
last eight months with the average drive-off valued at £30.
Now, aided with a new ready-made reporting pack, service station
staff and retailers will be able to document offences as they
happen without having to wait for police to attend. Evidence
will be forwarded onto officers for investigation.
The East Downs Forecourt Watch - involving 50 petrol stations
in the Eastbourne, Hailsham, Lewes, Seaford and Newhaven areas
- will also tackle problems encountered when people realise
they have filled up without having any means of payment.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Stevens, who is heading the
East Downs division trial, said: "Sussex is probably the
first force in the country to look at this specific problem.
We have identified the issues staff and retailers encounter
when people admit they have no means of payment. We have designed
a procedure for the recording and supplying of evidence in the
event of a necessary investigation."
BOSS Regional Co-ordinator for the South East Tom Sterling
added: "We are confident that Forecourt Watch will help
to reduce the amount of crime taking place at service stations
in Sussex. The scheme will undoubtedly help to make petrol forecourts
safer places for our staff and our customers.
"Our research reveals that people who commit crime on
petrol forecourts are
often involved in more serious crime. By working in partnership
with the
Sussex Police to reduce forecourt crime we can also help to
reduce a variety
of other crimes. Offenders will now be forced to think twice
before
committing crime on local petrol forecourts."
For those driver's who do not have any method of payment, service
station staff and retailers will be encouraged by the police
to fill in a form, have their photograph taken and may be asked
to provide a thumbprint in case further action needs to be taken.
If the driver returns later to pay, the form and evidence will
be destroyed.
Retailers who are part of the East Downs Forecourt Watch will
also be linked to a ringmaster communications system, allowing
various information about those who commit forecourt crime -
including vehicle details - to be circulated in their area.
BOSS was formed in 1991 by the oil industry and is supported
by the Petrol Retailers Association, Home Office Crime Reduction
College and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
BP, Esso, Jet, Q8, Shell, ChevronTexaco and TotalFinaElf are
all member companies. The aim of the organisation is to reduce
the amount of crime taking place on Britain's petrol forecourts.
For further information contact:
Tom Sterling
BOSS
Tel: 0208 325 0232
Mark Hazelby
Sussex Police press officer
Tel: 01323 414130
Issued by:
Broad Communication Consultants
Tel: 01509 843308
