WA fuel crisis: Police increase petrol station patrols amidst growing concerns of fuel drive-offs

WA Police are increasing their patrols around local petrol stations amidst growing concerns of fuel drive-offs.

Premier Roger Cook on Wednesday announced he would use emergency powers under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act 1972, allowing the State Government to regulate and direct fuel suppliers.

The powers will come into effect on Thursday.

“With diesel being over $3/L, it’s inevitable that we will see, sadly, some people deciding to steal fuel on fuel drive-offs,” WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said.

“It’s a common occurrence when it’s not a fuel crisis, so inevitably we will see the statistics rise.

“Police are increasing patrols, but they think our general population don’t do (fuel drive-offs) ... it’s few an far between in the context of how many people are filling up on a daily basis, but we work closely with fuel stations to make sure they report and we respond.”

FuelWatch recorded an average of 316.5¢ for diesel on Wednesday — a staggering 73.8 per cent increase compared to last month.

Just last week, Glenn McCagh was charged after allegedly mowing down a staff member during a fuel drive-off at Armadale’s Vibe petrol station.

The father-of-four is accused of “accelerating at speed”, hitting the attendant, sending him flying over the bonnet, after attempting to leave the service station without paying.

He was charged with five offences including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and failing to stop, and was remanded in custody.

Mr Blanch — who is also the State’s Emergency Coordinator — acknowledged rising fuel prices was adding financial stress to many West Australians, but urged locals to remain calm and “look after your neighbour”.

“The fuel price is already impacting on people, we know that fuel is very expensive and no doubt those that are living paycheck to paycheck are really struggling at the moment, so there’s probably very high levels of anxiety and stress out there,” he told ABC Radio.

“We don’t want the toilet paper debacle of COVID, we just want our community to be sensible when the Emergency Management Act and other acts are escalated in their levels, if in fact they are.

“I want to be very clear — it’s not the time to panic, it’s time to be calm, because we don’t know what’s going to happen in the Middle East.

“All we’re doing as emergency services ... is about preparing to make sure that we’re ready, because the community would expect, if it did get worse, that we’ve got a plan in place, and we do it orderly, calmly and professionally, and that’s what we’re planning for.”