Petrol stations and police are joining forces in a bid to crack down on motorists who fill up and drive off without paying.

The fuel thefts account for about eight per cent of all recorded crime in Bradford's Toller Lane division, averaging 40 incidents a month.

It is estimated the problem costs filling stations across the district more than £3,000 a year in lost revenue.

Toller Lane Police and 30 petrol station owners have met to discuss how to tackle the problem.

Many garages already have CCTV cameras, but the majority of incidents involve vehicles carrying stolen or altered number plates which cannot be traced.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Sedgwick, of Toller Lane CID, said: "We are looking at developing a link system between petrol stations and police officers, possibly through pagers.

"It would allow each member of the scheme to share the latest information on incidents, what colour and make of cars were used and suspect descriptions."

Crime prevention officers will also be working with garage owners to upgrade some forecourt CCTV systems and make better use of existing cameras.

The suggestion to operate a pre-pay system was agreed to be unworkable over fears it would be unpopular with customers - giving other garages an advantage.

Rocky Leach, who owns a petrol station in the Toller Lane division, said police and garage owners were now on the ball and ready to tackle the criminals.

He said: "Everyone is having the same problems, but if we all work together we can cut the number of incidents to a minimum.

"We will be swapping information by ringing round other local petrol stations and passing on details of drive-off incidents."

The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) is also involved in the scheme.

John Turtle, BOSS regional co-ordinator said: "We are working closely with police to set up a forecourt watch scheme in the Bradford area. I am sure the district can only benefit from such a scheme."

Garage owners and police are set to meet again next month to discuss what progress has been made.

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