COPS: WE’LL LET PETROL CROOKS GO
£30m a year cost to garages
POLICE have stopped chasing motorists who drive off without paying for fuel at garages.
More than eight forces have now re-categorised the offence – known as “bilking” – as low-level crime in an attempt to save money and time.
They will no longer send officers to investigate if petrol stations report the crime.
The move has been met with fury by the Petrol Retailers Association, which represents 70% of forecourts and claims bilking costs the industry £30million a year.
Lincolnshire Police announced this month it would no longer chase bilkers.
The force said the change was an attempt to “focus our limited resources” on catching proper criminals. The only exceptions will be if thieves are threatening or violent.
Forces will still record the crime, but no officers will be sent to the scene.
Police have told petrol bosses to prevent bilking by insisting customers pay for fuel in advance. They also suggest recovering the cost of the theft by pursuing the matter in the civil courts.
Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “It’s becoming a serious problem as the police are routinely ignoring this crime.”
He added: “They are technically encouraging criminals to steal petrol.”