AACS COMMENDS WA POLICE FOR DECISIVE ACTION ON PETROL THEFT

MEDIA RELEASE
June 2 2014
The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has commended WA Police for its commitment to cracking down on petrol thefts, a crime which costs service station retailers in the state upwards of $6 million annually.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said it was encouraging to see WA Police approach this serious crime in a practical manner, by committing necessary resources in the form of more patrol cars in close proximity to service stations to catch criminals as soon as a theft is reported.
“This is positive action by WA Police to deal with a crime that is increasingly impacting honest hard working retailers, not only in Western Australia but nationally,” Mr Rogut said.
“Petrol theft is a serious crime which should ideally be addressed nationally. Nevertheless, the efforts of WA Police demonstrates the importance of a serious approach to petrol theft and we urge police and state governments around the country to work with retailers to more effectively deal with these criminals,” Mr Rogut said.
“We are thankful for the support of the WA Police Minister and WA Police, and we are committed to working with WA Police on this issue. Hopefully the decisive action taken in recent times can continue.
“From retailers’ perspective, the message is clear: those who steal petrol are guilty of criminal behaviour and should be punished accordingly. We’ll be doing all we can to see justice is done,’ he said.
Mr Rogut said pre-paid petrol systems, often cited by those outside the industry as a possible solution to petrol theft, are unsuitable for many retailers.
“Pre-paid petrol is inconvenient for customers and it jeopardises the key point of difference for convenience stores. The systems also punish the vast majority of customers who do the right thing,” Mr Rogut said.
“With mandatory pre-paid petrol, customers may find they 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, which can cause forecourt congestion at busy times.
“Meanwhile stores might miss out on impulse sales which are so important to their business, given fuel is a very low margin product,” he said.
The AACS is ideally pursuing a national response to the crime, with heavy fines and loss of license demerit point tabled as potential coercions.
Further information:
Jeff Rogut
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Association of Convenience Stores
Ph: 0467 873 789
Media enquiries:
Stephen Naylor
Wise McBaron Communication
Ph: (02) 9279 4770