Inquiry averted

MRH has avoided an inquiry into its acquisition of 78 service stations from Esso after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) accepted undertakings by the company. The CMA said it was concerned about areas of Brighton and Cambridge where MRH had acquired Esso sites and the next nearest filling station was also owned by MRH. MRH has responded with proposals to sell either the MRH Girton or the Esso City site in Cambridge, and the Esso Patcham site in Brighton.

Shop theft on the rise

Shop theft is at its highest level since the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) in 2003. New figures from the Office for National Statistics show incidents of shop theft in the year ending September 2015 were more than 9,000 higher than the previous year.

Smoke deters burglars

A smokescreen security device foiled burglars who broke into a Staffordshire forecourt early on January 21. The thieves broke in to Sainsbury’s filling station in Tamworth, while it was closed, but were driven off by the smokescreen which they triggered.

Leak forces closure

A Tesco petrol station in Dundee had to be evacuated after fuel began leaking from pumps while a fuel tanker delivery was under way. Fire fighters said the leak had occurred because the fuel system had been over- pressurised, and they covered the area in foam to prevent an outbreak of fire.

Police seek robber

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after an armed robber struck in Wallingford. Shortly after 1.15am on Sunday January 24 a man entered the Esso service station, threatened a member of staff with a knife and made off with cash.