Tamworth Regional Council to write to 24/7 service stations about paying-before-pumping overnight to limit crime

Councillors unanimously voted in favour of the motion at a meeting this week.

Tamworth Regional Council deputy mayor Mark Rodda, also the chair of the community safety working group, said it was a "simple request" of 24 hour petrol stations amid a crime wave.

"First of all, to limit the distance that people in stolen vehicles can travel," he said.

"Secondly theft of fuel, which often occurred going into a stolen vehicle, and thirdly limit the opportunity of people that may have stolen ATM cards buying fuel to put in the stolen vehicle."

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Cr Rodda said the policy would help stop people in stolen vehicles "getting away and continuing on with their joyrides".

It's a crime prevention strategy Oxley police have called for in the past.

Council will write to 24/7 service station operators within the Tamworth local government area, seeking their cooperation in ensuring a pay-before-you-pump strategy is in place from 11.30pm to curb late-night crime.

Council is not asking for petrol pumps to be turned off, just for people to have to pre-pay for fuel.

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