October 2003
BOSS NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2003

 

Conference to hear how retailers and police are tackling forecourt crime

 

Forecourt crime is moving up the police agenda. With 'Drive offs' now an arrestable offence, credit card fraud still increasing and criminal damage an ever-present threat, forecourt crime is a prominent feature of police crime statistics.

 

West Yorkshire Police has joined forces with the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) to share information on new ways to tackle crime.

 

At the 'Drive away forecourt crime' conference, taking place on 15, October in Leeds, petrol retailers and managers will hear about the latest initiatives and schemes from across the country, to ensure that service stations remain safe places to do business.

 

John Turtle, BOSS regional co-ordinator for the North West said: "The main themes of the conference are staff, customer safety and reducing forecourt crime.   But we'll also be looking at how police forces are sharing their data and resources to help the petrol retailer.   For example, by 2005 all retailers should be using the new chip and pin system to crack down on credit card fraud, and the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system is being used to great effect by some of our member companies. This is the first BOSS conference to be held east of the Pennines and will provide an excellent opportunity for all interested parties to meet and discuss how to work in partnership to reduce forecourt crime."

 

West Yorkshire Police crime reduction officer detective inspector John Birkenshaw says the conference will be a valuable step to cutting crime. "We need to work more closely with the petrol retail industry to reduce forecourt crime, in particular the number of drive- offs. Staff and customer security is also of immense importance to us. By working together we can develop new ideas and initiatives."

 

Conference speakers will be Kevin Eastwood, executive director of BOSS, Ray Holloway, director of the Petrol Retailers Association, Jeff Collins, manager of the Fraud Intelligence Bureau of the Association of Payment Clearing Services and Steve Smith, assistant chief constable of West Yorkshire Police.

 

The conference takes place on Wednesday 15 th October between 9.30am and 3.00pm at South Leeds Stadium, including buffet lunch and coffee.   Tickets are £20 per delegate. Registration forms are available from the PRA, 9 North Street, Rugby, CV21 2AB or call John Turtle on 0161 436 4714.