Filling your tank? - Don't forget to pay for it, say local police

They say that too many people are driving off without making any attempt to pay, even when prompted by signs on the pumps and when asked at the checkout.

Speaking to The Ballymena Times about the problem, Inspector Pete Bouma said: “Drive-offs occur when motorists get petrol from the pumps and then leave without paying.

“While some of these incidents are the result of genuine mistakes, there are other occasions when there have been deliberate thefts.

“Under the Forecourt Watch Scheme when a drive-off occurs, staff at the filling station report what has happened as usual, then fill in a statement in a pack we have provided to them,” he said.

“They then arrange for police to pick up the statement and officers then establish the ownership of the vehicle concerned and write to the owner.

“They have two weeks in which to make restitution. If they do not within that amnesty period they will face the prospect of prosecution,” Inspector Bouma warned.

Despite the fact that police realise most drive-offs are due to human error and people will pay when it has been pointed out to them, Ballymena PSNI want to see a marked reduction in the number of drive offs taking place.

“We want people to pay for their fuel straightaway, before they perhaps go on to pick up a few groceries at the filling station,” he said.

“Stealing fuel is not a victimless crime and it is unfair to expect retailers who are providing an important service to the community to either pay your motoring costs or to wait for a delayed payment.

“While the Forecourt Watch Scheme, which is in use in several other areas in Northern Ireland, has greatly helped to speed up the whole process of how these matters are dealt with, the time officers spend dealing with drive offs is time that could be much better spent preventing and detecting crime to make your area safer for everyone,” said the Inspector.