Garages to fight forecourt crime

The aim is to reduce the amount of forecourt crime

Petrol stations and garages in a part of Nottinghamshire are banding together to help fight forecourt crime.

A Garage Watch scheme is being launched in Eastwood with five businesses signing up to work with the police.

The scheme aims to gather evidence on petrol drive-offs, stolen credit cards, shoplifters and descriptions of suspects, police said.

Garage owners will receive information about recent criminal activity in a quick telephone alert system.

PCSO Derek Kershaw said: "An incident (will be) reported to the police and circulated across Eastwood within minutes of it taking place."

Each garage will be given a folder containing crime reduction advice and workbooks aimed at making it easier for staff to record accurate descriptions of offenders.

The information on offenders should then be circulated through the network, to help other garage workers identify any suspects.