Western Australian police have warned of an expected increase in fuel theft driven by rising prices and fears of shortages following the US-Israeli bombing of Iran on 28 February. Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the motivator for more thefts would be anxiety over fuel availability.
In South Australia, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens suggested officers might stop investigating 'drive-offs' at service stations unless retailers install prepaid pumps. He noted an increase in petrol thefts this month, including from first-time offenders, and said police resources were being diverted from other responsibilities.
Industry groups rebuked Stevens' comments, stating prepaid pumps could cost $5,000 each, a cost that would be passed on to consumers. SA police reported 221 fuel theft offences in the week ending 15 March, 59 more than the previous week, with 97 involving first-time offenders.
In New South Wales, police are investigating the theft of 800 litres of diesel from a property at Huntley and about 500 litres from a grain storage facility in Nyngan. Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Maclean warned farmers to remain vigilant and install surveillance cameras and padlocks on bowser handles.
Police in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland could not provide recent theft statistics but said they were remaining vigilant. However, Tasmanian police reported no pattern of increased theft, with 44 cases in the past six weeks, and ACT policing noted only six reported thefts this year.
