Monday 12 March 2001
New security system to halt forecourt crime in Solihull

A new crime reduction scheme - Forecourt Watch - aimed at reducing crime on petrol forecourts has been launched in Solihull this month by the West Midlands Police and the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS).

Solihull Forecourt Watch is the first scheme of its kind to be introduced in the West Midlands and uses new technology as part of the fight to reduce forecourt crime.

More than 40 Forecourt Watch schemes are successfully running across the UK. In Solihull 28 service stations have signed up to the scheme, which will particularly target drive-offs (people driving away without paying for their petrol).

Forecourt crime costs petrol retailers a total of more than £47 million each year in lost revenue. Motorists driving off without paying for their fuel cost the petrol retailer over œ11 million and Solihull is no exception.

About 250 of these offences have been reported in Solihull so far this year. The average cost of a drive-off is œ27.

Using a Ringmaster communications system, Forecourt Watch will provide local retailers with an early warning of crimes being committed on petrol forecourts in the area, together with details of suspects and their vehicles. Police will use high-tech equipment to identify offenders, as well asuniform and plain clothed policing.

Detective chief inspector Tim Godwin, crime manager at Solihull, said: "West Midlands Police are committed to reducing crime and opportunities for crime and are confident our partnership with BOSS, petrol retailers and their staff will have a real impact on forecourt crime in Solihull. We are sending a very clear message to those individuals who view service stations as an opportunity to commit crime - when you are caught you will be prosecuted"

BOSS executive director Kevin Eastwood added: "We are confident that Forecourt Watch will help to reduce the amount of crime taking place at service stations in Solihull. Our research reveals that people who commit crime on petrol forecourts are often involved in more serious crime. By working in partnership with the West Midlands Police to reduce forecourt crime we can also help to reduce a variety of other crimes.

"With the wide variety of merchandise now on sale, petrol stations are seen as a part of the community, and we should also encourage the local population to support and protect them. The scheme will undoubtedly help to make petrol forecourts safer places for our staff and our customers".

BOSS was formed in 1991 by the oil industry and is supported by the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), 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, please contact:
Kevin Eastwood
BOSS
Tel: 01926 864757

Rachel Anstee
West Midlands Police
Tel: 0121 626 5858

Issued by:
Broad Communication Consultants
Tel: 01509 843308
Ref:BS 2/2001