Petrol thefts fuel Liberal candidate into action

LIBERAL Candidate for Bellarine Brian McKiterick believes petrol theft is an inexcusable crime that is affecting businesses, especially small ones, on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Mr McKiterick recently visited Mortimer Petroleum in Drysdale and United Petroleum in Portarlington, which have both fallen victim to these crimes.

The operator of the Tower Road service station got so fed up with these thefts destroying his business and livelihood that in June, he began making all customers pre-pay for fuel.

“I hope to stand up for small businesses in the Bellarine and am against criminals who knowingly steal petrol,” Mr McKiterick said.

“After meeting with several petrol station operators and employees in the Bellarine electorate, I am certain that not enough is currently being done to ensure petrol theft is taken seriously and that criminals are being properly convicted.

“Only Matthew Guy and the Liberals have a tough on crime policy, including policies on petrol theft.”

Meanwhile, Mr McKiterick has welcomed the announcement a Liberal Nationals Government will focus on more police on the beat, tougher sentencing and $24 million for more local community safety measures like CCTV cameras in at risk areas across Geelong and the Bellarine.

Grants of up to $250,000 will be made available to local councils to develop public safety and security infrastructure such as CCTV systems, improved lighting and creating local solutions to local crime.

Councils will be able to identify areas within their community such as park edges and shopping areas that attract a higher rate of crime and implement measures to stop anti-social behaviour.

“CCTV cameras have a track record of deterring crime and assisting in the quick identification and arrest of criminals,” Mr McKiterick said.

“Queenscliff traders and the Drysdale community have especially expressed safety concerns and the need for CCTV in their areas to prevent crime.”