Police to fill-up at Willenhall Morrisons to deter fuel thieves

Police officers in Willenhall have been told to refuel their marked cars at Morrisons - identified as a hot-spot for crime - to deter petrol thefts.

Bosses at the store at Middle Piece Way have called on West Midlands Police to provide a greater presence at the site following an increase in bilking incidents.

Although Morrisons have downgraded their own security provision due to an 'economic downturn' according to the force.

In a Willenhall South policing report, Sergeant Kelvin Rowlands declared the store as a 'hot spot' for crime.

He said: "The analysis data shows Middle Piece Way to be the beat hotspot.

"This area is predominantly dominated by two repeat caller locations namely Morrison's supermarket and Morrison's' petrol station.

"As a result of this analysis, the area received a great deal of high profile police presence, both response attending to calls for service, diary car appointments for shop lifting /bilking issues and neighbourhood team support knowing this to be a hotspot and hot grid."

He said that during the summer months patrols would be maintained in the area and added: "In addition as part of the bilking patrol strategy the local policing unit are encouraged to refuel marked police vehicles at this location to provide additional reassurance.

"The local neighbourhood team will continue to provide high visibility patrols both within the stores and externally.

"Efforts have been made to undertake dialogue with the store owners with view to reducing incidents, but it is sited that high volumes of customers and increased thefts together with economic downturn for the store owners has resulted in less security provision and an increase calls for service to police.

"In addition the local neighbourhood team have sought assistance with the use of a bilking panda at the locations to act as a deterrent, this has been previously rejected on the basis there are higher demand locations both on the local policing unit and in force."