South West servo asking motorists to surrender car keys before fuelling up in a bid to reduce drive-offs

A South West servo is asking motorists to surrender their car keys before fuelling up in a bid to reduce drive-offs. Ampol Brunswick began sending staff out to the bowser on Tuesday to collect keys after drive-offs increased due to rising fuel prices. Ampol Brunswick owner Justin Princi said while not ideal, it was a step he had to take. “We don’t really want to have to be doing this, but with fuel prices getting so high, people are driving off more,” he said. Mr Princi said since he put signs out explainign the policy, 10 people had slowed down, and quickly driven off. “These people might have been looking to take fuel without paying, and it’s just a shame it has come to this,” he said. While other service stations in the region have taken measures to combat stealing, Mr Princi said taking keys off people made stealing nearly impossible. “There’s a button inside that allows the petrol to go through the pump. If they don’t give their keys, we don’t allow the petrol to flow,” he said. “Some other service stations just ask for payment before filling up, but no one knows how much they need to put in their car, so this way people can fill up without having to worry about it.” Mr Princi said despite some resistance, most were getting on board with the new rule. “We have had a few people get upset and not want to give up their keys, but most understand,” he said. “We are trying to identify locals who we know are trustworthy and won’t drive off, but it’s hard to keep track of them all.” Mr Princi is looking to forward to the light at the end of the tunnel. “Hopefully soon it will settle down and we can all go back to the way it was,” he said.