Hillcrest SAPS has noticed a drastic increase in the theft of petrol with a number of cases being opened.
According to the station’s communications officer, Capt Linzi Smith vehicle licence plates are being cloned and used on similar vehicles where the drivers are filling the vehicles with petrol and then drive off without paying.
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Smith said they want to sensitise all petrol stations in the area or other areas to have a contingency plan in place to avoid this.
“For example, vehicle keys need to be handed to the petrol attendant serving the vehicle, even if the petrol hatch can opened via switch or lever inside the car. Only once they have paid, should the keys be handed back to the driver.”
She said another method to prevent this trend is to get the amount or value that the driver is wanting to fill up.
“The attendant can put in the amount and then request payment before putting the petrol in.
Smith added that a notice should be placed at the petrol stations that wish to implement a process so the drivers are made aware when entering the station they need to surrender keys upon filling their vehicles.
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