24th January 2002
BOSS Statement in Response to RAC Foundation Press Release
BOSS is aware of the RAC Foundation's recent press release about forecourt crime on Britain's 12,000 service stations. This is an important issue for BOSS and the petrol retailing industry.

We welcome the RAC Foundation's advice to motorists to help prevent forecourt crime and note that the statistics quoted are those from the 1998 BOSS Forecourt Crime Survey. More recent crime trends suggest that there has not been a significant rise in forecourt crime since then.

The 1998 Survey revealed that petrol retailers and the petrol retailing industry were losing nearly £50 million as a result of forecourt crime. This cost has and will continue to be absorbed by the oil industry and is not passed onto the motorists in higher fuel prices.

There is no evidence to suggest that motorists are more vulnerable using a cash machine on a petrol station forecourt than one in any other location.

The petroleum industry is continually reviewing the means to improve the security of its customers, staff and property but widespread pre-payment is not regarded as necessary or appropriate in the UK. The vast majority of petrol station users continue to enjoy trouble-free service in a safe and secure environment when they fill up.

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. BOSS works closely with local police and has seen substantial reductions in forecourt crime where these partnerships are in place.

For further information, please contact:
Kevin Eastwood
BOSS
Tel: 01926 864757