A drive-off at a South Oxfordshire forecourt was facilitated by fake number plates, police have said.
Thames Valley officers have launched an investigation following the theft, which took place on Friday, May 9 at 6:30pm at the Chinnor Co-op filling station on Oakley Road. The offender was seen filling his vehicle with fuel before making off without paying, and while the number plate was recorded, checks subsequently revealed it to be a false registration.
The incident highlights both the ever-present problem of drive-offs, which cost the industry millions annually, and the dysfunction that surrounds the UK’s number-plate system, which has 40,000 registered suppliers making up 15 million plates each year, with no meaningful oversight and no control of material supply chains.
A CCTV image of the suspected thief has been released by police (see above), who are asking members of the public to come forward if they witnessed the theft, or can assist with investigations.
The officer in charge of the case, PC Matt Eldridge, said: “I am appealing to anyone who recognises the person in this image to please come forward as they may have vital information to assist us with our investigation.
“I am also appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident or has information that may assist us to please get in touch.
“Anyone with information should call 101 or make an online report, via our website, quoting crime reference number 43250227728.”
