FORECOURT WATCH DRIVES DOWN THEFTS BY A THIRD

Superintendent Barr, PC Helen Lloyd, & Kevin Eastwood and Jim Anderson from BOSS

join local retailers in hailing the success of Forecourt Watch

 

Glasgow West & Central Forecourt Watch has helped to drive down the theft of fuel from forecourts in the area by a third in the last year.

 

Glasgow West & Central Forecourt Watch has been running for two years and during this period has seen the theft of fuel reduced by working together with Strathclyde Police and B.O.S.S (British Oil Security Syndicate) to make forecourts a Hard Target to criminals.

 

Forecourt Watch includes representatives from 9 premises located from the city centre out to the Knightswood Area of Glasgow. Staff within have regular contact with the police and each other, alerting when criminal activity is occurring.

 

Improved staff practices and increased vigilance have led to the successful reduction in crime, particularly theft of petrol commonly known as "drive-offs".

 

B.O.S.S is harnessing new technology and systems in order to reduce thefts and improve staff personal safety.

 

Superintendent Barr, Subdivisional Officer, Partick Police Office, commented "The success of this forecourt scheme is due to the improved communication links amongst the retailers, B.O.S.S. and the police who are working together to reduce crime and increase staff and public safety".

 

Kevin Eastwood, BOSS Executive Director said "We are pleased to be working in partnership with Strathclyde Police to fight and reduce forecourt crime. We know that Forecourt Watch schemes have become an effective tool in reducing not only forecourt crime but other types of crime. By catching criminals who drive away without paying for their fuel on petrol forecourts police can solve more serious crimes because often the same criminals are involved".

 

 

 

NOTE TO EDITORS: ON MONDAY 27 TH JANUARY 2003, AT 1000 HOURS A PHOTOCALL HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO BE HELD AT WESTBURN SS, 1327 DUMBARTON ROAD, GLASGOW. PRESENT WILL BE SUPERINTENDENT BARR, PARTICK POLICE OFFICE, KEVIN EASTWOOD, B.O.S.S. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE FORECOURT WATCH.