Staff at a BP service station in Kirkintilloch, Glasgow spotted the driver of a Vauxhall Vectra at one of the pumps that had previously been subject to ‘drive offs’ (incidents in which motorists fill up and leave without paying).
The service station operator noted the car’s registration number (which appeared to have been altered) before the driver drove off having failed to pay for GB pound 56 worth of petrol.
The police were quickly contacted and a nearby crew stopped the car. They discovered that the rear plate had been altered by use of black tape and found a hat and jacket matching the clothes worn by the driver at the garage.
A copy of the CCTV from the garage clearly showed the same man, who was arrested and retained in custody for a subsequent court appearance.
Not a victimless crime
PC Des Clark, the community safety officer at Milngavie Police Office in Glasgow, said: “Some may think that stealing fuel does not hurt anyone, and that it’s a victimless crime, but this is not the case. It impacts on consumers, retailers and the police, and costs the oil industry millions of pounds.
The police officer went on to state: “The Forecourt Watch scheme is an excellent example of partnership working, and we will continue to work closely with BOSS and fuel retailers to reduce incidents of fuel theft, increase detections and ensure the safety of staff and customers alike.”
Jim Anderson, the British Oil Security Syndicate’s (BOSS) regional co-ordinator, added: “BOSS Forecourt Watch schemes are partnership arrangements with local police involvement that have helped to reduce the number of incidents of fuel theft and overall crime. By establishing efficient and productive local monitoring and reporting networks, crime at participating service stations is reduced while police are more easily able to identify and apprehend suspects.”
Anderson has some 35 years’ experience in the retail oil industry, and has been BOSS’ co-ordinator for Scotland since 2001. He has worked in both the marketing and IT fields, and is a qualified IT specialist.
Other organisations working with BOSS
In addition to Strathclyde Police, the other forces and organisations working with BOSS on reducing forecourt crime north of the border include: Central Scotland Police, Dumfries and Galloway Police, Fife Police, Grampian Police, Lothian and Borders Police Authority, Northern Police Authority, Scotish Business Crime Centre, the Scottish Poilce Service Authority and Tayside Police.
For those of you unfamiliar with BOSS, it’s an independent Trade Organisation campaigning to reduce forecourt crime.
Formed in 1991 by the oil industry, its members include BP, Shell, Texaco and Total.
BOSS is supported by the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA), UK Payments Administration, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
For further information about BOSS in general visit the website (a dedicated link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)
You can also access information on all the latest forecourt crime incidents (check out the separate link we’ve provided)
