Police tream up with petrol retailers to combat thefts (From The Northern Echo)

Police tream up with petrol retailers to combat thefts

1:09pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Peterlee News

POLICE are teaming up with petrol retailers to cut the number of thefts from garage forecourts.

Since April 2011 to the end of January this year, police recorded 138 offences across Peterlee, Seaham and Durham where a motorist filled up with fuel and then drove off without paying.

The practice – known as ‘bilking’ – is suspected to be linked with a similar rise in the thefts of number plates.

Over the same period a total of 75 plates were stolen, which in many instances were used by the fuel thieves.

Due to the increased numbers police contacted the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) to develop a Forecourt Watch scheme across the area.

All 10 independent garages in the Peterlee and Seaham areas have now signed up to the scheme, as well as several more in Sherburn, Bowburn and Gilesgate.

Police use a Voice Connect system to alert the garages to any thefts of registration plates and keep them up to date with any relevant offences at other premises as well.

And work is under way with the force’s intelligence unit to improve the way information is shared with both neighbouring forces, Northumbria and Cleveland Police.

All the garages taking part in the scheme have visible signage on all of their pumps, in addition to various posters displayed around the forecourt or shop.

Dave Young, a former sergeant with Durham Police and now regional co-ordinator with Fighting Forecourt Crime, said: "The knock-on affect is passed onto the customer and the chances are, these people are not just stealing fuel.

"This type of crime costs the petrol industry £19million a year but by working in partnership with the police and the retailers, we should see Forecourt Watch begin to have an effect."

Sergeant Tracey Whelan, who has co-ordinated the launch of the scheme said: "Bilking is a major problem which costs the industry and takes up a lot of police time.

"By working together in this way we can all make life a lot more difficult for the fuel thieves."

Among the scheme’s backers is Ellipsis Retail Services, which runs Shell filling stations on Yoden Way, Peterlee, both forecourts on the A19 at Hawthorn and Grindon Broadway in Sunderland.