POLICE are under the pump as they pursue property crime offenders who they believe are stealing cars, filling up at the bowser, taking off and breaking into homes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Service station operators working in the dead of night have been urged to implement a 'pay before you pump' strategy between midnight and 6am.
"A little thing this small can be really valuable in solving these crimes," Oxley Detective Inspector Jason Darcy told the Leader.
He said petrol station CCTV footage had been used to solve significant crimes in the past, but it's hard if faces can't be seen.
He called on servo staff to take extra security measures for customers filling up in the early hours by checking their payment cards and identification and asking them to remove hats, hoodies and sunglasses.
He said young people rolling in behind the wheel of high-end cars like an Audi or Mercedes should ring alarm bells for petrol station staff.
"These young people are stealing cars, they will then go to service stations here and in Gunnedah where they fill these vehicles up and go on to commit further offences like break and enters and stealing cars," Detective Inspector Darcy said.
He said with a set of keys, a car and a full tank of petrol, offenders have all the fuel they need to travel to towns like Moree and Muswellbrook and further south to Newcastle where they continue running amok.
Detective Inspector Darcy encouraged overnight workers to call on cops for help if they feel unsafe or see anything suspicious.
READ ALSO:
"We have the resources working around the clock," he said.
Operation Southbreak - dedicated to busting local property crime - has seen significant arrests and more than 70 charges laid in February and March alone.
Extra resources have been deployed to help.
The plea for a 'pump before you pay' policy and other security measures was made as Tamworth and Gunnedah continue to deal with a spike in property-related crime.
The amount of car thefts and break-ins still occurring was the trigger point for police, who continue to work tirelessly to protect the community.
Detective Inspector Darcy said police had been in constant contact with petrol station proprietors and said the reception from some had been cooperative, but there was still a way to go.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News