Petrol Theft Surges 30% in South Australia Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Petrol theft has escalated dramatically across South Australia, with drive-offs increasing by 30 per cent in just one week as financially strained motorists grapple with soaring fuel prices. The number of incidents has risen from 162 last week to 221 this week, with nearly half of these cases involving first-time offenders.
Police Commissioner Announces Controversial Policy Shift
In a move that has sparked debate, South Australia’s Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, has declared that investigators will no longer prioritise preventable crimes like petrol theft. Instead, he is urging service stations to implement prepaid fuel systems to curb the trend.
Stevens defended the decision, citing the need to redirect limited police resources. “With the cost-of-living pressures that people are dealing with, the significant increases in fuel costs, we will see more petrol drive-offs in the weeks to come,” he said. “I can’t compel the retail fuel sector to take these steps, but what I can do is manage how police deal with these offences. It bogs us down in investigations that we should not have to undertake.”
Industry Concerns Over Safety and Messaging
The policy change has raised alarms among service station operators and industry groups. Darrell Jacobs of the Motor Trade Association expressed worry that the move could encourage further theft. “We certainly don’t want that messaging getting out to people that says, I can do this and get away with it, because it won’t be investigated. That’s a problem,” he stated.
Many petrol stations are hesitant to adopt the pay-before-you-pump model, as operators rely on in-store spending to keep fuel prices competitive and believe customers prefer having a choice.
Fuel Prices Continue to Climb, Driving Theft Trends
Unleaded petrol prices have risen another 10 cents in the past 24 hours, exacerbating financial pressures on households. Authorities are also warning motorists to stay vigilant, as they anticipate a potential increase in criminals siphoning fuel directly from vehicles due to the ongoing price hikes.
This surge in petrol theft highlights the broader impact of cost-of-living challenges, with police and industry stakeholders navigating complex solutions to address the issue effectively.
