Fuel drive-offs in the Peel region are a “complicated issue” that can be reduced through crime prevention measures, according to a Pinjarra Police Senior Sergeant.
A local petrol station worker, who wishes not to be named, told the Mandurah Mail police will rarely follow up on fuel drive-offs.
“They won’t bother if it is a really small amount,” she said.
The worker said it was hard to supply enough information for police to prosecute the offender.
But Pinjarra Police Sergeant Gareth Read said crime prevention measures could help to reduce the volume of offences.
“Fuel drive-offs are a complicated issue and they do happen, all over WA,” he said.
“It is a policing issue but also some crime prevention can reduce a lot of the theft that occurs.
It is a policing issue but also some crime prevention can reduce a lot of the theft that occurs.
- Pinjarra Police Sergeant Gareth Read
“I am aware of a couple of petrol stations in the Kwinana-Bertram area that have installed number plate recognition software.”
Sergeant Read said the software works by alerting the worker if the number plate had been involved in prior thefts.
“If that vehicle has been involved in the theft of fuel they can speak with that person or get prepayment,” he said.
A Caltex spokeswoman agreed and said this software could help to reduce offending.
“While primarily designed to improve payment convenience for our customers, the introduction of number plate identification technology enables us to better identify and prevent repeat offences,” she said.
Sergeant Read said WA police were trialing a “streamlined” new fuel-drive off reporting system, which can be accessed online.
“WA Police as a whole is trialing a system where service stations can call up and report fuel drive offs,” he said.
“There are instructions in the pack with the evidence we require to investigate and prosecute the offences.
“It’s a one-stop shop to provide all we need to establish criminality.”
Sergeant Read said service station workers had the right to refuse service and could ask for payment upfront.
“They are the same as any other business,” he said.
“They have the right to refuse service if they are suspicious of the customer who has pulled up
“There’s no obligation to release fuel and they are not under any obligation.”
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Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
