July 2004
BOSS & POLICE TARGET 5 LONDON BOROUGHS

Motorists who fail to pay for their petrol in Tower Hamlets are being targeted by the police, oil companies and BOSS in an attempt to reduce forecourt crime.

 

Police say that some of these drivers involved in more than 1,041 incidents over the last twelve months may be responsible for more serious criminal activity in East London. Tower Hamlets is among six London boroughs identified by BOSS as being most affected by forecourt crime; in the first four months of 2002 it saw a 26% increase in incidents. From March 2003 to April 2004, following the introduction of the initiative, a 31% decrease was recorded.

 

Two of the selected boroughs, Newham and Brent, are among those involved in the Operation Trident investigations into black-on-black shootings. It is believed that some of the non-paying drivers and vehicles could figure in these crimes.

 

PC Ruari Robertson, who is responsible for monitoring incidents on the forecourts in Tower Hamlets said, "It may appear that what we are doing is taking the easy option by targeting these people. But we aren't. If we can arrest and successfully prosecute someone and get them off the streets we are preventing other potentially serious crimes they may be involved in".   Police use CCTV footage and automatic number plate recognition systems (ANPR) to assist in the battle.

 

Every month PC Robertson distributes details of the five alleged worst vehicle offenders around the participating petrol stations. They can refuse to sell fuel to the driver and also have express permission to call the police and report the vehicle.

 

BOSS Co-ordinator Tom Sterling said that as a result of his organisation and police activity, forecourt crime was being reduced city wide.

 

For further information contact:

BOSS Co-ordinator South East – Tom Sterling Tel: 0208 325 0232

www.bossuk.org