Cops crack down on fuel thieves (From Dudley News)

Cops crack down on fuel thieves

2:28pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in News

BRIERLEY Hill police have set up a scheme to crack down on petrol thieves.

Officers from the Brierley Hill neighbourhood policing team have launched Forecourt Watch to help cut the number of fuel thefts in the area and cops will be working closely with forecourts to share information and intelligence.

Regular high visibility patrols will also take place around forecourts to deter would-be thieves.

Large posters will also warn opportunistic offenders about the consequences of driving-off without paying for their fuel.

Officers will also soon be filling up their patrol cars on borough forecourts when fuel pumps at police stations are de-commissioned to save cash.

Forecourts at ASDA, BP Snax, Jet and Shell will feature in the first wave of the crackdown which has been launched after a spate of fuel theft incidents.

Police recorded 16 incidents between January and March - 12 of which happened at Asda at Merry Hill. Three occured at Shell in Brettle Lane, and one was at Snax in Pedmore Road.

Pc Wayne Trueman, from Brierley Hill Police Station, said: "We are very pleased to be working so closely with petrol station staff to further reduce thefts in the area.

"We hope the introduction of Forecourt Watch will send a clear message to criminals.

"We will be looking to prosecute anybody who is caught committing this crime, and by sharing information with the local petrol stations we hope to be able to prevent further offences from being committed."