❓ WA Police provide statistics on petrol theft, clarify their policy of treating it as a civil matter unless criminal intent is evident, and detail past collaborative efforts with the Motor Trade Association to address the issue.
AnsweredQoN 4390Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) In the last 12 months how many people have been charged with stealing petrol from service stations?
(2) How many reports have been received by police on alleged petrol theft?
(3) What is the policy of Western Australia Police in prosecuting petrol theft?
(4) Are there occasions where police request offenders to return to the station to pay for the petrol; and
(a) if so, how many in the past year?
(5) Do police follow up with petrol station proprietors to ensure that this payment has been made; and
(a) if not, why not?
(2) How many reports have been received by police on alleged petrol theft?
(3) What is the policy of Western Australia Police in prosecuting petrol theft?
(4) Are there occasions where police request offenders to return to the station to pay for the petrol; and
(a) if so, how many in the past year?
(5) Do police follow up with petrol station proprietors to ensure that this payment has been made; and
(a) if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 February 2011
Responded by
Minister for Police
Response time
83 days
1) 75
The above figure relates to the number of persons apprehended by WA Police and processed by Arrest, Summons, Juvenile Justice Team Referral or Juvenile Caution.
2) 275
In respect of Questions 1 and 2 the statistics provided are for those offences where the officer has indicated in the relevant 'field' on the Incident Report that the theft is fuel drive-off related.
3) Current WA Police policy regarding fuel drive offs, treats incidents where the client fills his/her car with fuel and drives off without paying as civil in nature. This is based upon an implied agreement existing between the fuel operator and client that they may fill their vehicle with fuel and then pay. A client who fails to pay is breaching this civil arrangement therefore service station operators should seek restitution through civil remedies.
WA Police will investigate fuel drive off offences where reliable and credible evidence exists that identifies or illustrates criminality i.e. when a behaviour or act exists that strongly infers the client had no intention to ever pay for the fuel, thus acting criminally.
Over the past 9 years, WA Police have worked in close partnership with the Motor Trade Association of Western Australia (MTA), service station operators and oil companies to resolve this problem.
Several crime prevention initiatives have been discussed however, for various reasons, including commercial interests; these initiatives have not been progressed. For instance WA Police have long contended that the introduction of pre-payment for fuel will eliminate the instances of fuel drive offs. The limited numbers of service stations who have introduced such a system have proved it is an effective method of stopping this problem. Unfortunately, the wide spread introduction of such a standard amongst Western Australian service stations has not occurred.
4) No. See above
a) Not Applicable
5) No. See above
a) Not Applicable
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The above figure relates to the number of persons apprehended by WA Police and processed by Arrest, Summons, Juvenile Justice Team Referral or Juvenile Caution.
2) 275
In respect of Questions 1 and 2 the statistics provided are for those offences where the officer has indicated in the relevant 'field' on the Incident Report that the theft is fuel drive-off related.
3) Current WA Police policy regarding fuel drive offs, treats incidents where the client fills his/her car with fuel and drives off without paying as civil in nature. This is based upon an implied agreement existing between the fuel operator and client that they may fill their vehicle with fuel and then pay. A client who fails to pay is breaching this civil arrangement therefore service station operators should seek restitution through civil remedies.
WA Police will investigate fuel drive off offences where reliable and credible evidence exists that identifies or illustrates criminality i.e. when a behaviour or act exists that strongly infers the client had no intention to ever pay for the fuel, thus acting criminally.
Over the past 9 years, WA Police have worked in close partnership with the Motor Trade Association of Western Australia (MTA), service station operators and oil companies to resolve this problem.
Several crime prevention initiatives have been discussed however, for various reasons, including commercial interests; these initiatives have not been progressed. For instance WA Police have long contended that the introduction of pre-payment for fuel will eliminate the instances of fuel drive offs. The limited numbers of service stations who have introduced such a system have proved it is an effective method of stopping this problem. Unfortunately, the wide spread introduction of such a standard amongst Western Australian service stations has not occurred.
4) No. See above
a) Not Applicable
5) No. See above
a) Not Applicable
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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