AACS: VIC POLICE COMMENTS A COP OUT

27 November 2013

Comments reported in today’s Herald Sun from Victoria Police on the issue of petrol theft not only encourage criminal behaviour, they also represent a deliberate attempt to blame the victims of theft instead of deterring the perpetrators according to the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS).

AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said the comments are as disappointing as they are damaging.

“It is inconceivable that the police are seeking to blame the victims, small businesses which operate in a responsible and legal manner, instead of doing the job the community entrusts them to do: to deter crime and catch offenders,” Mr Rogut said.

“The damaging statements reported today appear to be an attempt to divert attention from the heart of the real issue: the police’s desire to be seen to improve crime statistics. Instead, these comments effectively give the green light to those criminals who already engage in petrol theft and encourage would-be thieves to get in on the act as well.

“Like some politicians, police sometimes feel qualified to tell others how they should run their businesses. However these businesses pay taxes and should instead be supported by police when a crime is committed against them. Anything short of this is a cop out.

“Petrol theft, like the theft of other goods and services, is a criminal act and should be treated as such,” he said.

Mr Rogut acknowledged that the AACS has discussed the merits of pre-paid petrol systems with Victoria Police.

“We have explained clearly and repeatedly that pre-paid systems are not only inconvenient for customers, the vast majority of whom do the right thing, but they also jeopardise the key offering of these small businesses,” Mr Rogut said.

“We should be pleased that in Australia we offer honest customers the ability to pay for petrol after filling up and doing any other shopping they may require, not condemned for it.

“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.
“It is unreasonable to inconvenience the majority of customers who do the right thing and the freedom of these customers to shop should not be dictated by the police.”
The AACS has written to the Victoria Police Minister and has attempted to meet with Minister Wells on this issue, however the offer was declined.

In its attempts to work with Victoria Police to address this crime, the AACS has called for stiffer penalties for petrol theft including on the spot fines and potential loss of drivers licences for conviction on petrol theft.

“While police reportedly have the power to revoke drivers licenses for a variety of offences, for some reason when it comes to petrol theft we are told this is impractical. It appears it’s simply too hard,” Mr Rogut said.

“We completely respect the police and the difficult job they do, and would work with them at any opportunity. However as members of the community we also seek their support. Encouraging criminals through public comments which incite rather than deter criminal behaviour is disappointing.”

Due to the lack of police support, AACS members are increasingly having to take matters into their own hands and do the job of police, instead of focusing on their own businesses.

The Geelong Magistrates Court recently granted permission to APCO, a service station franchise network of 23 stores mainly in Victoria, to pursue the details of petrol thieves through VicRoads. The path is now clear for APCO to obtain the personal details of thieves with a view to initiating action and repayment for the petrol stolen.

Mr Rogut said petrol theft costs the convenience industry upwards of $30 million in lost profit annually. It is a serious crime which costs service station operators significant financial loss and triggers considerable safety concerns for employees and the general public.