KILMARNOCK FORECOURT WATCH

New Scheme Goes Live to Reduce Forecourt Crime

 

Press Release

 

Strathclyde Police and the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) are launching the East Ayrshire Forecourt Watch, Kilmarnock, at 1100 am on July 8th at Kilmarnock Police office in a bid to reduce crime on service stations.

 

All petrol retailers in Kilmarnock 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 also report it to the Police.

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

 

BOSS co-coordinator 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."

 

Superintendent Hugh McKnight, sub divisional officer for the Kilmarnock area, added: " We know that the people who commit crime on the service stations are often involved in more serious crimes such as drugs, robbery and housebreaking. 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 Superintendent McKnight

believes it has already proved valuable and has made it more difficult for criminals to travel across Ayrshire without being noticed.

 

The Forecourt Watch initiative is currently running in over 40 areas across the UK. There are three other schemes in Ayrshire, which have seen a substantial reduction in forecourt crime. Figures released by BOSS in 2002 revealed a significant reduction in the cost of forecourt crime and are proof that by working together police, BOSS and petrol retailers deliver results.

 

BOSS estimates that crime throughout Britain, excluding credit card fraud, costs the oil industry £19 million last year compared with £28 million in 2000 and £35 million in 1998. One area where BOSS and its member companies are particularly active is addressing the rising level 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 Scotland (ACPOS) and the Association of Payment Clearing Services (APACS).

 

The aim of the organisation is to reduce the amount of crime taking place on

service stations.

A photo opportunity will take place at Kilmarnock Police Office at 11.00 am on Tuesday 8 th July 2003. Superintendent McKnight, Jim Anderson from BOSS and local petrol retailers will be in attendance.