Fuel theft rings target businesses: A warning for Botswana's fuel sector
A recent spate of diesel thefts in Calgary, Canada, offers a sobering lesson for fuel retailers everywhere, including here in Botswana. Thieves stole approximately 10,000 litres of diesel fuel from three Mobil gas stations, costing the supplier, BG Fuels, about $20,000. The incidents, captured on surveillance footage, involved a large commercial truck pulling up to closed stations in the early morning hours and siphoning fuel directly from underground tanks.
How did the fuel thefts happen?
Sam Babcock, a territory manager for BG Fuels in southern Alberta, said the first theft was the largest, with about 8,000 litres taken. The truck arrived at around 4 a.m. and remained for roughly 25 minutes. Two subsequent thefts brought the total to nearly 10,000 litres. Babcock noted that because a large commercial truck was used, anyone driving by at that hour would not have thought anything suspicious was happening.
The company believes the same perpetrators were responsible for all three thefts, based on the footage. The second theft went awry, with only about 50 litres taken, while the final theft netted approximately 2,000 litres.
What are the safety and economic concerns?
Babcock stressed that the thefts present a serious safety hazard, given the large quantity of flammable diesel that was mishandled. He also said the incidents have caused significant stress for station agents, many of whom now check on their sites at night and cannot sleep.
Sergeant Nick Wilsher of the Calgary Police Service's crime prevention team said that while small-scale siphoning is common, thefts of this magnitude are unusual. He warned that such crimes are not victimless.
“Those costs are passed on to you as the consumer. You might think you're getting a deal, but you're actually making it more expensive for everybody else,” said Wilsher.
What can fuel retailers in Botswana learn from this?
This incident should serve as a wake-up call for fuel station owners and managers across Botswana. The methods used in Calgary could easily be replicated here. Retailers should consider the following protective measures:
- Improve physical security: Strengthen locks on tank access points and consider tamper-proof alarm systems.
- Increase surveillance: Install high-quality video cameras that cover all tank areas, especially those not visible from the main building.
- Conduct regular inventory checks: Monitor fuel levels closely and investigate any unexplained dips immediately.
- Be vigilant at night: Watch for large commercial vehicles visiting stations during closed hours, as this is a common tactic used by thieves.
The Calgary police noted that the surveillance footage was helpful in identifying the vehicle and the direction of travel. Botswana's fuel industry should take note: investing in security is not an expense, it is a responsibility to protect your business, your employees, and ultimately, your customers from higher prices.
Frequently asked questions about fuel theft prevention
Why is diesel fuel a target for thieves?
Diesel is a high-value commodity that is easily resold. Thieves often target it because a large quantity can be transported quickly using commercial vehicles, and the fuel can be sold at a discount on the black market.
How can a fuel station detect a theft quickly?
Regular reconciliation of inventory levels with sales data is the first line of defense. A sudden, unexplained drop in tank levels, especially overnight, should trigger an immediate review of surveillance footage.
What should a business do if it suspects fuel theft?
Businesses should report the incident to the police immediately and preserve all surveillance footage. It is also advisable to conduct a full security audit to identify and fix any vulnerabilities that were exploited.