Petrol thieves running rampant, warns Fidelity security group

South Africans spending their hard-earned cash at the petrol pumps now also need to guard against criminals stealing their “liquid gold” when their cars are parked.

According to a report by BusinessTech, Wahl Bartmann, the chief executive officer of the Fidelity Services Group said there have been several incidents across the country in recent weeks involving attempts to steal fuel by drilling into a petrol tank or siphoning it out of the tank.

This new crime trend comes on the back of several petrol price increases in recent months, the latest being the record price increases for both petrol and diesel for July.

ALSO SEE: Petrol price hike: Here’s what it’ll cost for a full tank in different cars

Earlier this week, the Department of Energy announced a R2.57 per litre price increase for petrol inland and a R2.30 increase for diesel per litre.

Motorists now have to fork out R26.74 per litre for petrol and R25.53 per litre for diesel.

If this wasn’t placing enough stress on consumers already, they now also have to worry whether or not they will still have petrol in their tank after a trip to the mall, or a visit to a location where they have to leave their cars parked in public areas.

Bartmann advised motorists to make basic changes to their behaviour to try and limit the chance of falling victim to these petrol thieves.

Here’s how to protect your fuel from petrol thieves:

• If you have access to off-street or secure parking, use it.
• Criminals are not above entering your property to get to your petrol tank. Make sure you have the necessary sensors to pick up any unauthorised movements in your garage.
• If you have to park on the street or in a public garage or parking lot, try and park close to an area where there is lighting and regular foot traffic.
• If you have to park in the street, park as close to your home, or your friend’s home as possible and make sure that your fuel cap is pointed into the street and not hidden from view.
• Don’t leave your car parked in the same area for a long period of time.
• Report anyone loitering around parked cars in your area to the police or your security company.

*Compiled by Xanet Scheepers