That aint criminal....

[R650R]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11457612

"A UK police force has declared that driving away from a petrol station without paying for fuel is no longer considered a crime.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it would not investigate such incidents unless there was obvious proof of criminal intent. The force has blamed cuts for the decision.

The admission came after one forecourt boss reported a number of thefts. Alex Whittam, 28, who manages the Fal garage in Tresillian, Cornwall, said he thought it was a joke when he was told police would not intervene.

He was told officers would only respond if there was obvious "intent" to steal - such as a car having false number plates."

Back when I used to pump gas NZ police weren't interested either. The 'crims' were a bit smarter back then, they would feign surprise at Eftpos card failure and 'promise' to come back later and pay...
Seems to be more of this these days, policing based on a budget.... you have to wonder as taxpayers just what services are we getting for our money these days???

[cynna]

i thought any form of theft is no longer a criminal offence - or is it just the court system that let them away with it?????

cut off their fucking arms

[Lelitu]

Seems to be more of this these days, policing based on a budget.... you have to wonder as taxpayers just what services are we getting for our money these days???

That's just it.. policing is bloody expensive to do right.. give them fuck all money, get fuck all crimes solved.

[Delerium]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11457612

"A UK police force has declared that driving away from a petrol station without paying for fuel is no longer considered a crime.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it would not investigate such incidents unless there was obvious proof of criminal intent. The force has blamed cuts for the decision.

The admission came after one forecourt boss reported a number of thefts. Alex Whittam, 28, who manages the Fal garage in Tresillian, Cornwall, said he thought it was a joke when he was told police would not intervene.

He was told officers would only respond if there was obvious "intent" to steal - such as a car having false number plates."

Back when I used to pump gas NZ police weren't interested either. The 'crims' were a bit smarter back then, they would feign surprise at Eftpos card failure and 'promise' to come back later and pay...
Seems to be more of this these days, policing based on a budget.... you have to wonder as taxpayers just what services are we getting for our money these days???

I really don't see how it CANT be regarded as theft.

[Virago]

That's just it.. policing is bloody expensive to do right.. give them fuck all money, get fuck all crimes solved.

Unless it's a "crime" that generates revenue. For some reason there's aways plenty of resources available for that.

[FJRider]

I really don't see how it CANT be regarded as theft.

The article is in regard to UK Police. What is the New Zealand Police policy ... ???

I know that Police here in Paradise have pursued (and caught) some that have driven off without paying for the fuel.

Those that live in areas that this type of theft is common ... can expect more pre-pay stations.

[TheDemonLord]

Interesting - I guess they are trying to stop wasting time by going after people who drive off after forgetting to pay (haven't done it yet, but nearly have done so a couple of times) by saying unless there is planned deception (false plates etc.) then they don't consider it a crime.

Besides - from memory in order to determine if an act is criminal - there has to be motive?

[flashg]

People here must be dreaming if they think cops are interested in the theft of $100 petrol. They weren't interested when my $15,000 motorbike was stolen from my garage while i was sleeping. They gave me an incident number to give the insurance company. Never heard another word from them. So bleating on about an amount of fuel is a wast of time
In this case there was a crime. The motive was to take my bike without paying and maybe sell it for drug money

[Akzle]

Besides - from memory in order to determine if an act is criminal - there has to be motive?

mea culpa.
A guilty mind.

[awa355]

Interesting - I guess they are trying to stop wasting time by going after people who drive off after forgetting to pay (haven't done it yet, but nearly have done so a couple of times) by saying unless there is planned deception (false plates etc.) then they don't consider it a crime.

Besides - from memory in order to determine if an act is criminal - there has to be motive?

According to the pommy police logic, if shoplifting was a spontaneous act, without any premeditated intent, that act wouldn't be a crime??

[Akzle]

According to the pommy police logic, if shoplifting was a spontaneous act, without any premeditated intent, that act wouldn't be a crime??

no you misread.
If it doesnt recoup any money for the crown, it aint a crime.

[Laava]

Looks to me like piss poor reporting from the Daily Mail sensationalising an obvious lack of response on the part of the police. Of course they don't come out with sirens blazing and truncheons drawn every time some lowlife nicks off with a tank of gas. That will be the same here no doubt.

[FJRider]

no you misread.
If it doesnt recoup any money for the crown, it aint a crime.

Traffic infringement fines recoup a great deal of money for the "Crown" ... but THEY are not "Crimes" ... <_<

[FJRider]

i thought any form of theft is no longer a criminal offence - or is it just the court system that let them away with it?????

cut off their fucking arms

Google Misdemeanor ...