Fuel theft level ‘unacceptable’
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) says an apparent directive within police not to investigate fuel theft below $150 is unacceptable.
It wants urgent clarification from Mark Mitchell, the Minister of Police, and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers that all such theft will be investigated appropriately.
“Service stations are the most preyed on retailers in the country,” says James McDowall, pictured, the MTA’s head of advocacy.
“They provide an essential service, and deserve the full protection and support of NZ Police and the government. This directive, if enacted, would seriously erode faith in both.”
Radio NZ has reported the existence of a NZ Police directive applying “nationally standardised value thresholds” when assessing theft and fraud files, meaning many crimes will not be investigated.
The value thresholds are $200 for general theft, petrol drive-off – $150, shoplifting $500, fraud such as paywave, online, scams and so on – $1,000 and $500 for all other fraud.
McDowall says while it’s understandable that the police prioritise offending, to ignore what would amount to thousands of crimes every year is unacceptable.
“Last year, there was almost 30,000 instances of theft from service stations, according to NZ Police data. Many would be under the reported threshold – you can fill up most cars for under $150 – and, therefore, not investigated.
“Frankly, there is already widespread belief at service stations that police do not take fuel theft seriously and this only reinforces that view.”
The MTA echoes a call from Retail NZ and retail advocate Sunny Kaushal, chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime, for meetings with the minister and commissioner.
“We respect there should be a nationwide, standardised approach to retail crime, rather than regional variations. But the standard approach should be that every theft hurts a hard-working business on slim margins.”
McDowall says the MTA has met with Mitchell previously, and found him supportive and informed. “We trust we can work with the minister and police to find a way forward, and keep service stations safe from retail crime.”
