In the effort to combat drivers who fill up and fail to pay for their fuel, Police Scotland is working with fuel retailers in Glasgow in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang areas.
Police and local retailers with the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) have operated BOSS Forecourt Watch schemes in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang areas for several years. Now police are stepping up their efforts to combat criminals who drive off without paying for fuel. Officers are patrolling forecourts to deter fuel theft and apprehend offenders. Rutherglen Community Safety Police Officer Richard Samson said: โPetrol drive-offs are becoming increasingly common in our area. It is considered an offence and could lead to an arrest and a court date. In order to combat this issue, we are working together with BOSS to raise staff awareness of this issue and to secure the relevant evidence in order to stop this type of crime. By having our forecourts work together, with BOSS and Police Scotland, I am confident that we can effect change.โ
Jim Anderson, BOSS Co-ordinator for Scotland, added: โWeโre pleased to be able to strengthen our partnership in these areas with Police Scotland, and offer our support in reinforcing the message that taking fuel without payment is a crime and that offenders will be pursued and brought to justice.โ
BOSS Forecourt Watch aims at a closer working relationship between police, BOSS and retail staff to increase awareness, prevention and the reporting and recording of incidents. There are almost 130 other Forecourt Watch schemes around the UK.
Pictured: left to right, PC Richard Samson, Rutherglen community safety officer; Jim Anderson, BOSS co-ordinator for Scotland
About the British Oil Security Syndicate Ltd
BOSS is a not-for-profit independent trade organisation campaigning to reduce forecourt crime. Formed in 1991 by the oil industry, membership is available to all fuel retailers and oil companies. BOSS is supported by the United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA), UK Payments Administration, Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). For further information about BOSS – visit www.bossuk.org
