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Key Issues - Safety & Security

SAPIA has taken many steps to prevent crime, such as establishing the Oil Industry Security Forum whose main focus is to address security issues and manage crime fighting projects. The industry has also united with government, the business sector, and representative associations to fight crime and make South Africa a safer country. SAPIA maintains an active, industry-wide security and crime prevention programme aimed at maximising the security and well-being of customers, employees, service station forecourts and assets.

Robberies at South Africa’s service stations decreased from 782 incidents in 2008 to 611 incidents in 2009, showing a 21.8% decrease in crime. However, the number of hijackings at service stations and cash-in-transit incidents increased over the past year.

Read more about crime statistics in the SAPIA annual reports.

The petroleum industry has implemented a number of initiatives to further minimise crime, such as improved cash-handling procedures by retailers and enhanced service station design which includes the addition of bullet-proof glass, panic buttons and closed circuit television systems at forecourts. Service station staff members are being empowered through specialised training programmes in the areas of robbery prevention and survival techniques. Staff members also receive regular information about crime pertinent to their operations in the form of newsletters and alerts. In addition, close liaison is being maintained with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure a full investigation into every crime and to incorporate the findings into enhanced security measures.

Whilst there has been a decrease in the number of robberies at service stations in 2009, crime is still a major problem. The constant increase in the fuel price is a concerning factor as it results in larger cash amounts on forecourts which attracts perpetrators. However, the new regulations regarding the use of payment cards to purchase petrol and diesel at retail sites should result in improving safety conditions because it will alleviate the amount of cash on forecourts.