ALMOST 100 people may have failed to pay for fuel at petrol bowsers across the Hume Police District so far this financial year, but just seven percent of them have been charged.
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Petrol theft is considered fraud under the NSW Crimes Act 1900, with a NSW Police spokeswoman saying officers are committed to tackling the crime.
So far during 2019/20, 97 people had failed to pay for their fuel at petrol bowsers in the Hume region with seven people charged.
This is down significantly compared to 2018/19, when there were 167 fail to pay for fuel incidents reported and 27 people charged.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said police are committed to tackling 'fail to pay' (FTP) crime and urged the industry to assist.
"We need the help of industry to ensure we can catch and charge those who rob services stations of fuel," she said.
"It is critical that any service station targeted by fuel thieves fill out the FTP form and submit it to police."
By comparison, in the Riverina Police District there have been 132 fail to pay for fuel incident so far this year compared to 171 during 2018/19.
In the Central West Police District 46 people have failed to pay for their fuel this financial year, compared to 90 during 2018/19.
While in Chifley there have been 91 fail to pay incident during 2019/20 compared to 94 last financial year.
Chifley crime manager Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said not all fail to pay incidents are done with criminal intent.
He said a proportion of these incidents are honest mistakes and people return to the service station to pay.
Detective Insp Rankin said, however, in some cases people will "go there with the intention to do the crime".
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"They use fake number plates or disguise their number plate or they disguise their appearance," he said.
Detective Insp Rankin said stolen cars were also often used in fuel theft cases.
Hume Police District did not respond to the Young Witness' requests for comment.
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Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
