AACS: SMALL BUSINESS DESERVES BETTER RESPONSE TO PETROL THEFT

MEDIA RELEASE
September 5 2013

The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has again urged the Victorian Government and police to treat the genuine concerns of convenience store owners and their employees with due respect by taking petrol theft seriously, in terms of preventing and responding to this crime, and prosecuting the offenders.

AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said service station owners, operators and employees have been left repeatedly frustrated at the lack of decisive action taken at a regulatory and practical level to prevent this crime and hold offenders accountable.

“Petrol theft is a serious crime which costs service station operators significant financial loss and triggers considerable safety concerns for employees and the general public,” Mr Rogut said.

“We have not been backward in coming forward in our endeavours to work with Government and police to deter petrol theft. We have written to various Ministers and we’ve put forward a range of potential solutions to this issue for consideration.

“Unfortunately our efforts continue to be met with no responses. The legitimate concerns of our members have received absolutely no acknowledgement. The only reasonable conclusion to be drawn is that small business issues simply don’t rate as important enough the Government to take seriously.

“Our message is simple: if you steal petrol we will be doing all we can to ensure that you’re caught and that you’re prosecuted, and we have no plans to cease lobbying Government and police on this issue until such time as it is taken seriously,” Mr Rogut said.

On a national basis, intentional petrol theft costs the convenience industry upwards of $30 million annually, significantly impacting the many small business people in the community who rely on these stores for their livelihood. There’s also the potential for dire safety consequences that can result from quick escapes by motorists after they have committed the crime.

Potential solutions put forward by the AACS to numerous Ministers and police alike include fines, similar to speeding fines or those incurred by shoplifters, and loss of licence demerit points.

Number plate recognition systems, already in use in many service stations, CCTV to capture images of those that steal petrol, vigilance by other motorists when filling up and improved partnerships with law enforcement are other ongoing potential solutions to the problem.

The installation of pre-paid petrol systems are often cited as a potential solution to the issue from those without first hand experience in the industry. However pre-paid petrol systems are unsuitable as a blanket solution, Mr Rogut said

“Pre-paid systems are at odds with the key offering of convenience stores. Stores shouldn’t have to jeopardise their service offering as it is unreasonable to inconvenience the majority of customers who do the right thing,” Mr Rogut said.

“There are numerous inconveniences associated with mandatory pre-paid systems. Customers may have to make multiple trips to the counter if they underestimate the petrol they require. They may have to return to the store to purchase additional items, adding to congestion during busy periods,” he said.