AACS: VIC CRIME STATISTICS DON’T TELL FULL STORY

September 24, 2014
Crime statistics unveiled by Victoria Police to the end of June fail to tell the whole story as they don’t take the huge problem of petrol theft crimes into account, according to the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS).
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said the crime of petrol theft is a huge problem nationally and particularly serious in Victoria due to perceived Police inaction and total Government disinterest.
“Some AACS members in Victoria are reporting that the incidence of petrol theft has increased by over 40% in 2014 so far,” Mr Rogut explained.
“However more and more retailers see no point in reporting these crimes, as they claim that they get no action from Police and in some cases the reports are not even recorded for follow up.
“The recent release of crime figures for the 12 months to June 2014 shows another increase in crime in the state. These figures would be significantly inflated if petrol theft was reported,” Mr Rogut said.
Mr Rogut said petrol theft is a crime that comes straight off retailers’ bottom lines, having a direct and significant impact on these businesses given the low petrol margins on which they operate.
While the crime is especially serious in Victoria, retailers in other states are also counting the cost of petrol theft. In Queensland for instance, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) reports that in the 12 months to the end of June 2014, there were 14,620 reported petrol drive-off offences in Queensland.
This compares to 4,469 reported drive-off offences in the 12 months to the end of June 2010. The number of reported petrol drive-offs in Queensland has more than tripled over the last five years, the RACQ says. The RACQ is also calling for Police to place a greater emphasis on these offences.
Petrol theft is a cost that can’t be absorbed by retailers and hence must be passed down to motorists at some point. It is increasing and while Police and Government fail to acknowledge the seriousness of the issue and act decisively, it will continue to get worse.
“The AACS will continue to raise the issue of petrol theft with the Victorian Government and Opposition on behalf of our members. It is inappropriate for the Police and Government to turn a blind eye to this crime indefinitely,” he said.