Forecourt Eye is a new app and online service that enables forecourt retailers and members of the public to monitor forecourt crime – the criminal offence of “drive offs” (also known as bilking) as well as the civil offence of “no means of payment”, which are a source of financial loss for petrol retailers.
In fact, theft of fuel from Britain’s forecourts cost retailers an estimated £31.4m during 2014 according to a survey from the trade body the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS).
According to Forecourt Eye, these forecourt crimes are increasingly frustrating to deal with for police forces, diverting essential police time and resource away from more serious crimes. The app, which harnesses file sharing, allows retailers to send a digital evidence pack to police (including the CCTV evidence) that is compatible with current Police systems. Furthermore, the Forecourt Eye system allows retailers and the police to generate statistics and track repeat offenders.
It is thought that those who do forecourt crime are often repeat offenders, targeting service stations in an area, then simply moving on. This app it is claimed allows retailers to monitor criminals operating in their area, as well as allowing the police to jointly prosecute offenders.
Forecourt Eye went live at the BP Linden Service Station on Dewsbury Road, Leeds. It’s free for police to use. Sergeant Andy Gregory of West Midlands Police says: “With budget cuts and continuing constraints on police resources, a system that utilises technology and empowers retailers to tackle crime on their premises is welcomed by West Midlands Police; technology that links retailers electronically to the Police means they can tackle crime faster and more efficiently.”
Farook Asmal of BP Linden Service Station, pictured, is the first to use the product. He said: “Forecourt Eye has helped us reduce both drive offs and share information with other retailers to track suspects operating in our area. The system was easy to adopt and simple to use and the startup pack contained a tablet pre-loaded with the all software. All we needed was an internet connection.
“It’s saved us time and money, recovered losses, and has significantly improved our relations with the local police.”
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzQNegNIRqE.
