Anti-crime crusade is a winner (From Gazette Series)

Anti-crime crusade is a winner

AN INITIATIVE between motorway service station operator Welcome Break and Stroud District Council to combat crime at Michaelwood Services and the surrounding towns has been hailed as a success.

Bosses from the service station on the M5 put £5,000 towards the cost of security cameras on the service station's southbound forecourt, with the council giving the same amount.

The scheme was the idea of policeman George Sharp, whose area includes Michaelwood.

Michaelwood forecourt manager Carol Giles said: "In association with the council, we spent £10,000 on six new security cameras located on the forecourt, together with office equipment to monitor the camera pictures.

"The cameras enable us to identify any driver that drives off the forecourt without paying for petrol and pass the information on immediately to the police. They are an excellent deterrent and the number of people driving off without paying has decreased, which is good news for us, and the police."

Mrs Giles added: "Forecourt staff are also able to pass on information to the police on other matters, which have been recorded by the security cameras.

"Overall the cameras have been a great success and a very worthwhile investment."