‘Laid-back’ police blamed as petrol thefts from convenience stores rocket to $45m

KAREN COLLIER
MAY 09, 2014
HERALD SUN
Victorian drivers were believed responsible for petrol losses of $15-$18 million. Source: News Limited
“LAID-back” police are being blamed for a big rise in petrol theft from convenience stores.
Outraged outlets say motorists driving off without paying stole fuel worth $45 million nationwide last year, up 16 per cent on the previous year.
The toll is revealed in an Australasian Association of Convenience Stores report.
The industry warns the problem is set to get worse with an expected fuel excise rise in next week’s federal Budget.
Victorian drivers were believed responsible for losses of $15-$18 million.
The association’s chief executive, Jeff Rogut, claimed a “hands-off” Victoria Police approach exacerbated business losses.
Some frustrated owners no longer bothered reporting all thefts because of lack of action, he said.
A controversial policy from last July clarified police should investigate only when clear criminality is involved.
Victoria Police says service station owners should take greater crime prevention measures, such as pre-payment practices, to reduce drive-offs.
“From the time the new policy was announced petrol theft increased dramatically,” Mr Rogut said.
“We are just not happy with a laid-back approach.
“We do not expect police to be debt collectors. But we do expect a far more proactive approach in terms of deterrence, of saying petrol theft is unacceptable and will be prosecuted.”
A force statement said: “We need to put our resources where they are most needed and reduce the amount of time police members spend working on petrol drive-offs which are preventable events, especially when a large number should be treated as civil matters between the service station and the customer.”
Mr Rogut said widespread pre-pay technology at bowsers was not the answer as it was too costly and discouraged product purchases inside stores.
Pleas to politicians for tougher penalties had been ignored.
The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores represents about 5000 petrol stations nationally including 7-Eleven, Caltex Star Mart and BP sites.
karen.collier@news.com.au