September 23, 2014
Figures released today by the RACQ show the number of “drive-offs” from service stations has more than tripled over the past five years.
Statistics provided by Queensland Police showed more than 14,600 were reported in 2013-14, up from 4469 in 2009-10.
In the Wide Bay-Burnett area, the figure has more than doubled from 167 in 2009-10 to 365 in 2013-14.
RACQ Executive Manager Public Policy Michael Roth said figures showed the south-eastern region, which included the Gold Coast and Logan, had the highest number of offences over the past five years.
“Almost 5000 offences were reported in the south-east this year alone, with the rate of offences on the Gold Coast and Logan increasing,” he said.
Mr Roth said RACQ believed drive-offs were directly linked to vehicle and number plate thefts.
“Despite CCTV security measures, brazen thieves are going to great lengths to steal fuel,” he said.
“We want to see the police place a greater emphasis on this type of offending. This is a serious crime that is clearly not going away.
“We need to see a strong message to the community that this type of offending won’t be tolerated and if people commit these offences they will get caught and prosecuted.”
