This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46094938
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Make drivers pay for fuel in advance, says police chief | Make drivers pay for fuel in advance, says police chief |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Service stations should make drivers pay for fuel in advance to prevent theft, a top police officer says. | Service stations should make drivers pay for fuel in advance to prevent theft, a top police officer says. |
| Petrol firms had made it too easy to drive off without paying because they wanted to entice motorists into their shops, said Simon Cole of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC). | Petrol firms had made it too easy to drive off without paying because they wanted to entice motorists into their shops, said Simon Cole of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC). |
| About 25,000 people every year "bilk" the system by avoiding payment. | About 25,000 people every year "bilk" the system by avoiding payment. |
| Mr Cole, who is chief constable for Leicestershire, said 12% of crimes faced by his force were retail-related. | Mr Cole, who is chief constable for Leicestershire, said 12% of crimes faced by his force were retail-related. |
| "The petroleum industry could design out bilking in 30 seconds by making people pay up front, which is what they do in other countries," he said, in an interview with the Telegraph newspaper. | "The petroleum industry could design out bilking in 30 seconds by making people pay up front, which is what they do in other countries," he said, in an interview with the Telegraph newspaper. |
| "They don't, because the walk in their shops is part of their business offer." | "They don't, because the walk in their shops is part of their business offer." |
| In the US, virtually all filling stations require customers to pay for fuel at the pump by inserting a credit or debit card. | In the US, virtually all filling stations require customers to pay for fuel at the pump by inserting a credit or debit card. |
| However, this system has been blamed for lower profits, as fewer people bother to visit the convenience stores that are usually found on the forecourts. | However, this system has been blamed for lower profits, as fewer people bother to visit the convenience stores that are usually found on the forecourts. |
| Mr Cole's call comes as concerns grow that UK police forces are too stretched to be able to deal effectively with the most serious crimes. | Mr Cole's call comes as concerns grow that UK police forces are too stretched to be able to deal effectively with the most serious crimes. |
| Last week, the head of the NPCC, Sara Thornton, said there needed to be a "refocus on core policing", such as burglary and violence, because there were "too many desirable and deserving issues" that officers simply could not respond to. | Last week, the head of the NPCC, Sara Thornton, said there needed to be a "refocus on core policing", such as burglary and violence, because there were "too many desirable and deserving issues" that officers simply could not respond to. |
| What do you think of the proposal? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | |
| Or use the form below: |