MORE than 760 motorists drove off from petrol stations in Kirklees without paying for their fuel.
The shock figures from last year have led to a special scheme being set up to battle back against the `bilkers’.
The fuel thefts, known as bilking, have become a major problem, especially during times of spiralling petrol costs.
The worst-hit in Kirklees is the BP station on Halifax Road in Birchencliffe which has suffered 65 making off without payment thefts between January 1 and December 23 last year.
Total offences in Kirklees for the year were 766.
Now Forecourt Watch scheme has been set up in Kirklees with the petrol stations and police working closely together to catch the culprits.
Crime prevention officer for Huddersfield, Pc Mark Wall, said: “Many times the driver comes into the petrol station to say they can’t pay.
“Although some later come back with the money, others don’t.
“Under this scheme if the non-payer fails to return to the station within 48 hours then the matter will be referred to the police for us to investigate.”
To make that easier, service station staff have No Means Of Payment forms to fill out in every case where someone claims to have forgotten their purse or wallet.
“Also, the staff will have blank statement forms so if a suspect fails to return with the payment they can write the statement out ready for the police to pick up.
Pc Wall added: “Forecourt Watch schemes in other parts of the country have reported a dramatic fall in the cases of bilking – up to 70% in some regions.
“Six petrol stations have already signed up to the scheme here and we now hope many more will follow.
“Forecourt managers will be given training about the correct completion of the forms and will also be required to ask customers buying other items whether they have also filled up with fuel.”
Other badly-hit petrol stations in Kirklees last year include Manchester Road, Milnsbridge (46 bilking offences), Oxford Road, Gomersal (45), Westbourne Road, Marsh (37), Huddersfield Road, Honley (30), Leeds Road, Bradley (28) and The Triangle, Paddock (24).
John Turtle, regional co-ordinator of British Oil Security Syndicate Boss, said: “Drive-offs and no means of payment incidents cost the UK petrol industry more than £30m every year.
“By building successful partnerships with local police, petrol retailers and other agencies and delivering initiatives such as the Boss Forecourt Watch Scheme, we are able to significantly deter and prevent the level of these crimes on petrol forecourts.”
More than 70 Forecourt Watch schemes have now been launched in the UK.
Boss is made up of the large oil companies and the latest annual crime figures they have were from 2007 when fuel thefts increased by 13%.
The Boss survey of crime at Britain’s 9,271 petrol station forecourts estimated that total losses during 2007 were £32.5m compared to £28.7m the year before. That was up 20% from £23.8m in 2006.
Almost 90% come from driving off without paying by drivers who claimed to have no means of payment.
