VicPol have initiated a Crime Stoppers Campaign in response to the arson attacks and is calling on all retail fuel sites to have a conversation with staff about suspicious behaviour around the filling of Jerry Cans.
The police would like staff to refuse sale in suspicious circumstances, and to note all vehicle and person details for report to the police.
While the campaign is targeted in Victoria the message is applicable nationwide;
- Young persons – often as young as 13 years old are engaged to procure materials, including fuel in portable containers
- Fuel is often purchased (or stolen) for these activities late at night
- Persons accessing the fuel are often obscuring their identity or acting oddly when purchasing fuel
While it is possible that there are legitimate reasons for a person to require fuel in a portable container late at night, it is a key concerning indicator and amounts to suspicious behaviour that should be reported to CrimeStoppers.
ACAPMA reminds members that it is always inappropriate and unsafe for persons under the age of 16 to be filling portable containers.
ACAPMA
