Police target petrol thieves

A rise in the number of petrol thefts along the A46 has prompted police to issue leaflets warning drivers they will be pursued if they commit the offence.

In the last two weeks, there have been six recorded incidents of petrol theft at the Shell Petrol Station on Saxondale Island, Brobot, East Bridgford; and the King Service Station, Grantham Road, Bingham.

Bingham police have put up posters on pumps warning that petrol stations will treat all drive-offs and non-payments as theft and details of offending vehicles and CCTV images of the car and driver will be passed on to the police.

Sergeant Amy Billington, of Bingham Police, said: “We have also been giving petrol stations forms to fill out if someone comes to the till claiming they have no method of payment.

“The customer’s details should be recorded along with those of their car. The customer is then given a form reminding them of the obligation to pay and the amount owed and is given 72 hours to pay before the incident is reported to police as a theft.”

In addition, police are offering petrol stations crime prevention advice, making suggestions such as closing or cordoning off pumps furthest from the kiosk late at night.

Sergeant Billington said: “It is a preventable crime if people put money and time into it but we also appreciate there is no quick fix.”

The owner of Car Colston filling station, Mr Tarlochan Pabla, said hundreds of pounds worth of petrol had been stolen from his station in the past year and there had been a noticeable rise in the number of incidents in recent months.

“We have seen people take off fake registration plates and others fill up containers in the back of their car before driving off,” he said.

“Some people say they haven’t got any money and will pay later but when they get home they can’t be bothered to come back and try to get away with it.

“The police forms are a good idea as people are more likely to come back and pay.”

Mr Pabla said there had been suggestions that stations could install a pre-pay system but said that was only a good idea if everyone adopted it because some drivers could be put off and would go elsewhere.

“It has also been suggested that we turn off the pumps if someone looks like they aren’t going to pay but how can you judge that?” he said.

“We have had Mercedes and BMW drivers who have driven off without paying.”

Sergeant Billington hoped the leaflets would reassure the public.

Anyone who witnesses a theft can contact Bingham Police on 0300 300 99 99 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.