§ Mr. LaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of thefts of fuel from service station forecourts. [137629]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeBoth my Department and the Association of Chief Police Officers are represented on the British Oil Industry Security Syndicate. We support698W initiatives the Syndicate has developed to combat service station forecourt crimes, including the theft of petrol. The Syndicate aims to share information among its members and work with other partners to encourage the spread of best practice.
One such initiative is the establishment of 'Forecourt Watch' schemes in several areas of the country. These schemes, operated in conjunction with the local police, provide service stations with an early warning system of vehicles and individuals involved with crime on forecourts. When a crime is committed local petrol retailers immediately report the incident to the local police, who transmit warnings via a communications system such as 'Ringmaster'. A number of other schemes are currently being developed.