BOSS, the British Oil Security Syndicate, has renewed its membership of Secured by Design (SBD), the national police crime prevention initiative.
BOSS seeks to reduce crime on Britain’s petrol forecourts such as drive-offs and motorists claiming to have ‘No Means of Payment’. The BOSS Electronic Reporting System (ERS), which is used by forecourt retailers to record and report incidents to police, is accredited by SBD having achieved the Police Preferred Specification standard.
The BOSS ERS enables retailers to send details of incidents to police online, including supporting evidence from forecourt CCTV. This lets retailers submit a report online after a crime, with supporting video clips or still images. For police the advantage is that detailed incident information is received early.
SBD is a police-owned body that delivers a range of crime prevention and demand reduction initiatives. SBD partner organisations range from the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government and the police, local authorities, housing associations, developers and manufacturers. Products must be subjected to testing and auditing by an accredited third party before being allowed to carry the SBD logo.
SBD Development Officer Sara Giles said: “Theft of fuel is a common problem and one that many members of the public often do not consider, however, it has a detrimental effect on retailers and honest customers alike. I am delighted to see a company like BOSS taking active steps to reduce crime at petrol station forecourts as this not only benefits retailers’ business but also reduces demand on our already heavily stretched police forces. I am very pleased to welcome back BOSS as a renewing SBD member company and look forward to hearing more of their success stories.”
Kevin Eastwood, pictured, BOSS executive director, said: “The BOSS Electronic Reporting System offers significant advantages for both the police and fuel retailers. Incidents can be followed up much more quickly and effectively as all details and evidence can be supplied online in one go. Accreditation to Secured by Design clearly demonstrates that the BOSS Electronic Reporting System conforms to stringent police preferred specifications.”
