Citation

Chakraborti N, Gill M, Willis A, Hart J, Smith P. Crime Prev. Community Safety 2002; 4(3): 37-48.

Affiliation

Scarman Centre, University of Leicester

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group -- Palgrave-Macmillan)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Whilst the recent growth of research on retail crime has to some degree raised awareness of the considerable impacts of such crime, there remain a number of areas that have yet to be explored. One prime example is the victimisation of petrol service stations. By investigating the nature and extent of crime committed against petrol retail outlets in the UK, the present study was designed to encourage greater understanding of the problem and to assist in the development of preventive measures. The paper focuses on the key crime patterns identified in this research, which highlight the wide range and number of offences committed and their serious financial consequences for petrol retailers. In addition, the research has shown that service stations are vulnerable targets for criminal activity in both urban and rural parts of the country, and at all times of the day, week and year. These findings have serious implications for petrol retailers, and suggest that both improved security measures and increased police intervention are needed to reduce crime and increase safety in service stations across the country.