TEAMING UP TO FIGHT FORECOURT CRIMINALS

Petrol cheats who leave Coventry garage forecourts without paying could face up to two years in jail under a tough new initiative launched at the weekend.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Godwin visited the Star Service Station in Hinckley Rd, Walsgrave, Coventry, to announce the start of Forecourt watch, which is backed by the police and the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS), in an effort to stamp out crime and disorderly behaviour.

DCI Godwin, based at Stoney Stanton Road police station, said that from now on the vehicle details of fuel thieves will be logged  and shared among all other petrol stations in the city to ensure that they cannot fill up elsewhere. Police officers will be also  made aware of the registration numbers of offenders' cars.  Once traced, owners will be given a short period of time in which to stump up the cash they woe. Those who refuse to pay will  be arrested and summoned before the court, and if convicted they will face fines and up to two years in prison. Anti social  orders could also be imposed.

DCI Godwin said: "Though Forecourt Watch is primarily to tackle the problem of people driving off without paying for petrol,  other crimes committed within the petrol station will be covered, such as shoplifting, credit card fraud, robberies and assaults on staff".

January 2004