IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

To residents of the Coomera & Gold Coast Police Districts.

 

The theft of fuel has been a big problem and the amount of offences being reported to police has been increasing. In just one police stations area of responsibility, from 1/1/13 to 21/2/13 - 117 offences were reported in that area alone. On average, each investigation can take 1 to 3 hours of police time. By reducing the amount of petrol drive off offences that police have to investigate, we will be effectively making more police time available to respond for calls for service.

I am advising you all of some changes that are happening at a number of petrol stations around Coomera and the Gold Coast. Petrol stations are going to be following police suggestions to try and reduce the amount of theft of fuel offences that are occurring. Basically a large number of offences are being committed in stolen vehicles or whilst the vehicle has false number plates attached. The majority of offenders are wearing some item or article that defeats the camera surveillance and prevents them from being identified. Generally offenders are not first time offenders and as a result would be able to be identified by police. If offenders are forced to remove these items prior to the petrol pump being turned on – they risk being identified by police so they will not take the item(s) off and drive away without stealing fuel. (They are then likely to go to another petrol station that does not follow this procedure – but hopefully all petrol stations will soon adopt these procedures.)

Unfortunately law abiding citizens are going to be slightly inconvenienced by being asked to remove any item that can hinder visual identification. We are asking you to remove these items and look towards the camera(s); the fuel pump will then be turned on. You are welcome to put the item(s) back on when the pump has been activated. If for any personal, medical or religious reason you do not wish to remove such items you may be required to produce identification or pre-pay for your fuel before the fuel pump is turned on.

To date, 18 service stations, being Freedom fuels, 7-11 stores & some BP service stations have had signs fitted are adopting these procedures. You will be able to identify these petrol stations as their pumps have the following signs attached.

Please be patient and co-operate with the petrol stations.

Please spread this information to others. Help make it harder for offenders to steal fuel.

Martin Webb
Sergeant 10645
Coomera District Crime Prevention Co-ordinator
DCPC.Coomera@police.qld.gov.au