CASES of drivers filling up their tanks and then driving off without paying is on the increase, according to Blue Security.
The latest incident took place at an uMhlanga service station on Saturday evening, confirmed the company’s spokesperson, Andreas Mathios.
“Blue Security has received an increase in reports of local incidents. In the latest incident, a motorist driving a white Citroën filled up with R700 worth of fuel and exited the forecourt without paying. The vehicle departed while the petrol attendant was collecting the card machine to process the payment.
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“With these incidents increasing alarmingly service-station proprietors and management are urged to escalate security measures and train staff in an effort to prevent potential fuel theft from happening.
“This type of crime is referred to as Bilking which not only impacts the service station’s revenue but can also put staff, customers, vehicles and property at risk. It is therefore imperative that preventative measures are put in place,” he said.
Mathios advised one of the ways to combat this type of crime was to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
“Cameras using this technology provide a smart crime-fighting solution for preventative policing at petrol stations,” he said.
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