POLICE have vowed to heavily patrol local service stations in a bid to clamp down on petrol drive-offs in the Endeavour Hills area.
Senior Sergeant Mike Jenkins of Endeavour Hills Police said stolen petrol made up more than half of all thefts reported to his station last month.
Sen Sgt Jenkins said as fuel prices continued to skyrocket, petrol drive-offs would continue to require police attention.
He said police would make their presence known at service stations throughout the Endeavour Hills area and would also regularly check registrations to detect stolen number plates.
Sen Sgt Jenkins urged all motorists to ensure that their number plates were securely fastened with pot rivets or similar screws.
“Unfortunately, these two matters, stolen number plates and petrol drive-offs, go hand-in-hand, so people need to ensure that the plates are secured firmly to their cars,” he said.