20 bilking thefts a day across West Midlands as fuel prices rise prompting new police investigation tactic
Police investigating 'bilking' incidents no longer visit the targeted petrol stations - instead relying on an online crime reporting tool to save man hours, it can be revealed.
West Midlands Police is called to 20 fuel thefts each day.
The force used to send officers to the targeted stations within five days to investigate the crime.
But in a bid to save 7,300 officers hours each year, the police are changing their approach, beginning inquiries with a phone call rather than a visit.
The petrol station is then asked to send through CCTV footage via a secure online crime reporting tool called Facewatch or in a pre-paid envelope.
It is part of a modernisation programme at the force called WMP2020.
And the move has already received approval from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, which published a report last week praising the force's efficiency.
Force spokesman Billy Corrigan said the change in approach to bilking followed widespread consultation with other UK police forces, petrol station managers and the British Oil Security Syndicate.
He said: "Previously, once a driver was reported to police for not paying for fuel, an appointment was made for an officer to visit the business ? up to five days after the offence - collect CCTV and take a statement from staff.
"Each visit - including travel time - took between an hour and a half and two hours. Only then would the investigation begin.
"Under the new system, a victim will report a crime and an officer will call them back.
"All of the details will be taken and a crime number issued, which signals the start of a criminal investigation .
"If there's CCTV of the offence, petrol station staff will be asked to upload this to Facewatch ? a secure online crime reporting tool - or send us a disc in a pre-paid envelope."
Mr Corrigan said the crime would be investigated in the same way, but with officers in possession of details and evidence sooner,
We'll then investigate in exactly the same way with the added advantage that we've captured the details sooner so can investigate quicker.
He added: "The force investigates around 20 fuel thefts each day.
"The revised system will see a potential of 7,300 officer hours saved each year in addition to savings on travel which will be channelled back in to achieving the force vision of preventing crime, protecting the public and helping those in need.
"This is just one of the improvements being made to policing in the West Midlands through WMP2020, the force's modernisation programme."
