BOSS estimates that overall forecourt crime throughout Britain, excluding credit card fraud, cost the oil retailing industry more than GB pound 19 million last year.
Forecourt Watch creates a closer link between police, BOSS and retail staff to increase awareness, prevention and the reporting and recording of incidents.
The East Kilbride and Strathaven scheme, being rolled out at 11 key sites in the district, is the latest addition to some 70 schemes already operating throughout the UK.
The scheme was officially launched at the East Kilbride Police Office on Thursday 7 April.
Chief Inspector Neil Kerr of East Kilbride Police Office said: “Forecourt Watch is being launched within this area to tackle the issue of drive-off thefts from garage forecourts in East Kilbride and Strathaven.
“Strathclyde Police, in partnership with the garage operators and East Kilbride & District Crime Prevention Panel, will take action against those persons identified as carrying out these types of theft in a robust manner and this initiative should send out a clear message that thefts from petrol stations will not be tolerated.
“Strathclyde Police will continue to support any initiative which aims to tackle such issues within our communities.”
Notable successes
Jim Anderson, BOSS co-ordinator for Scotland, said: “We’re pleased to be extending our partnership with Strathclyde Police, which has already achieved some notable successes in apprehending persistent offenders.
“Drive-off incidents cost the UK oil industry approximately GB pound 14 million last year. By building successful partnerships with local police, petrol retailers and other agencies through initiatives such as the BOSS Forecourt Watch schemes, we are able to deter and prevent crime on service station forecourts as well as bringing offenders to justice.
“Our aim is to maintain fuel stations as a safe environment for customers and staff, targeting those people who drive off without paying for their fuel and use service stations as a route to commit more serious crimes.”
Research shows that offences of driving off without paying for fuel are often linked to offenders or vehicles involved in other types of crime and to disqualified drivers, those without insurance, tax or MOT, or vehicles with false number plates.
BOSS Forecourt Watch documentation for the recording and notifying of drive-off incidents will be provided to staff at all forecourts taking part in the scheme. This enables fuel service stations to work in conjunction with police and BOSS to help bring offenders to justice.
High visibility stickers and posters on the forecourt itself will raise awareness among customers and potential thieves that Forecourt Watch is in operation and that making off without payment is a criminal offence.
Service stations registered with the scheme will also benefit from sharing information with police and each other on suspects, vehicles and known offenders – to maximise disruption and detection of offences.
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