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Petrol Drive-Offs: Crime or Mistake?
A petrol station owner reports numerous drive-offs, while police argue that proving intent is crucial and suggest focusing on prevention.
English
United Kingdom
Energy SecurityInvestigationCrimePoliceTheftFuel
Lincolnshire PoliceEmpire Garage
Kavita PilaniSanjay PilaniSupt Fran Harrod
- How is the owner of Empire Garage affected by drive-offs?
- Kavita Pilani, owner of Empire Garage, reports significant losses due to drive-offs, stating that the police inaction encourages this behavior. She claims to have reported 50 incidents in six months and possesses CCTV evidence.
- What are the police's challenges in prosecuting petrol drive-offs?
- Petrol drive-offs, where drivers leave gas stations without paying, may not always be considered a crime. Police need to prove intent to steal, and incidents where people forget to pay are not automatically criminal.
- What measures are being taken to address the issue of petrol drive-offs?
- Lincolnshire Police has advised Empire Garage on preventative measures and stated that repeat offenders will face consequences. They highlight that determining intent is crucial when deciding whether a drive-off constitutes a crime.
- What is the police's response to the concerns raised by the petrol station owner?
- Supt Fran Harrod of Lincolnshire Police explains that the force has limited resources and needs to prove intent in such cases. While acknowledging the problem, she suggests that focusing on preventative measures and recovering losses might be more effective.
- What is the main criterion the police consider when determining if a drive-off is a crime?
- The police's approach emphasizes proving intent to steal in cases of drive-offs, which often involves considering whether it was a deliberate act or an honest mistake. This approach impacts how resources are allocated and how these incidents are investigated.