Petrol thieves getting greedy with fresh scam

Reporter: Ken Bennett
Date online: 02 February 2010

Crafty fraudsters have come up with a new dodge to steal extra gallons of fuel from unsuspecting garages.

The thieves, who operate on stolen number plates, are carrying containers in the back of their cars, filling them then driving off without paying.

The fraud was revealed by garage boss Alan Edmunds, who has six petrol stations in Oldham and surrounding areas.

He said the incidents are costing his business up to £2,000 a week.

“It is bad enough when a driver simply drives off without paying. But now they are carrying spare cans on their back seats and filling them with fuel.

“Thieves can easily shield their activities from the petrol attendant’s sight,” he said.

“It is very difficult for an attendant to know if a person is actually filling up their vehicle or pouring fuel into a container in the back of the vehicle, particularly if a forecourt is busy. And, because some vehicles use a lot of fuel, a bill can easily reach serious double figures for one fill.

“The problem is further compounded by them using stolen number plates — so we can face big losses.”

Now, in a bid to clampdown on a car theft hot spot, the Saddleworth and West Lees policing team have offered a special service to protect vehicle number plates being stolen.

The squad fitted special screws to car and van number plates in Lees. One grateful motorist, Rita Reeves, who took up the offer, had a previous car stolen — only to turn up in Spain.

She said: “They stole the car, changed the number plates and simply went abroad. I couldn’t believe it when it was found a year later.

“I think this number plate screw fitting service is a great idea. Everyone who owns a vehicle should get the work done.”

Farooq Yousaf, of Lees-based taxi operator, Cartax, said: “It is a very good idea and will hopefully deter number plate thieves.”

PC Stephanie Dalpiaz, one of GMP’s neighbourhood team, working on the initiative, said: “Lees has been a hot spot for vehicle-related crime.

“It is encouraging so many vehicle owners have been lining up to take advantage of the number plate service.”

And the initiative was supported by Councillors Barbara Beeley and Val Sedgwick.

Said Councillor Beeley: “Any campaign that prevents crime is worth highlighting.”

Inspector Danny Milovanovic, said: “By linking with the community, we are making people more aware of these services.

“More of these initiatives will follow.”