Retailers losing €2.5k a year from 'drive offs' at garage pumps

The Irish Petrol Retailers Association claim that thefts at petrol stations are on the increase 'due to the cost-of-living crisis'.

A new pilot initiative aimed at curbing “drive offs” at fuel stations where drivers leave without paying is set to be rolled out, but retailers are demanding new laws to chase debts from forecourts across the country.

The Irish Petrol Retailers Association (IPRA) recently wrote to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee on the matter, claiming that such thefts at petrol stations are on the increase “due to the cost-of-living crisis and consumers ‘taking a chance’ that the retailer will not follow up and press charges”.

Retailers are losing on average €2,500 due to drive-offs, the IPRA said, according to a straw poll of its members. In response, the minister said she welcomes the new pilot initiative and urged the association to work with gardaí to make it a success.

The petrol retailers said they are working with the gardaí on the new initiative that will begin at three forecourts in Dublin that will involve training staff, increasing garda presence, and trying to minimise the number of instances where customers leave without paying for their fuel.

“While Garda time and resources can focus on following up via the PULSE system vehicle registration plates on the cars who have stolen fuel this cannot be done for false plates,” it said. 

“This leaves retailers and An Gardai Síochána at a standstill as these illegal plates are exceedingly difficult to chase up.” 

Number plates

The IPRA instead called for a number plate system, similar to the UK, where a number plate can only be made from a registered supplier and customers need to show documents to prove they are entitled to that registration number, to allow the gardaí follow-up on crimes.

“The introduction of a similar system, along with legislation making it an offence for an unregistered plate manufacturer to supply plates will help An Garda Síochána to follow up on crime,” it said.

The letter concluded that it would be an “easy win” for Ms McEntee’s department as it would help businesses, the government, and the gardaí.

In a response on behalf of Ms McEntee, it was noted that three forecourts had already been selected for the pilot to try to clamp down on drive-offs.

“The minister notes that the pilot will focus on detection and prevention of these crimes, with a dedicated Garda liaison allocated to the forecourt to facilitate increased communication between An Garda Síochána and the forecourt management and staff,” she said.

“Assistant Commissioner [Angela] Willis has instructed that this initiative be reviewed after a three-month period to assess its effectiveness and with a view to extending it across the Dublin Region.” 

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Regarding new legislation on licence plates, the IPRA was told that this falls under the remit of the Department of Finance and to contact them directly.

IPRA spokesperson David Blevings added: “While the Garda initiative is welcome, it focuses on detection and prevention. What we really need is third party access to the driver database to chase and deter perpetrators.

“As part of our lobbying initiative to reduce the loss to retailers, we will be asking TDs to support our request to the Minister to permit access to the database to try and address this huge problem.”