Published: Sunday, 29th June, 2008 12:00
Pump and run
By Aamina Zafar
Comments (0)
Print Article
A GARAGE is forcing motorists to pay before they fill up after suffering a spate of fuel thefts.
Bosses at the Total garage on London Road, Langley, blamed the thefts on rising fuel costs and said they had been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket.
Now the company is hitting back at the petrol panic by asking customers to pay before using selected pumps near the exit.
Signs warning motorists about the temporary pre-pay system were put up last week after people stocked up on petrol following the fuel strike.
Iain Hutchison, spokesman for Total, said the pre-pay system was expected to end soon but added: “Due to the recent fuel shortages the Total Slough garage experienced a large increase in sales.
“Unfortunately this also coincided with a large number of drive-offs. To counter this criminal activity the station introduced a temporary pre-payment system.”
But Paul Watters, head of AA public affairs, said: “This unusual step will cause a lot of logistical problems for customers, because they don’t always know how much petrol they want. But I do sympathise with the garage as drive-offs have increased with the rise in fuel prices.
“It comes with self-service as it is a bit like leaving £20 notes on the road.”
Total is using CCTV footage to prosecute motorists who illegally snatched petrol in recent weeks.
Locals have now dubbed the incidents pump-and-runs. This average price for a litre of diesel in the UK broke the £6-a-gallon mark for the first time on Tuesday. Unleaded petrol was at a record high after rocketing to 118.6p.
Anger after pupil suspended over gun pictures