A CRACKDOWN on petrol station crimes known as Forecourt Watch has been launched this week by Maidstone and Malling Police.

It will target motorists who fill their cars and then claim they cannot pay for the fuel. The crime is committed up to 350 times a month across Kent.

Forecourt Watch will force motorists who cannot pay at once for their fuel to fill out their form and leave their thumbprint and, sometimes, a photograph. If they do not return to the station and pay their debt within 24 hours, the police will prosecute.

Kent Police announced last week that it would adopt the scheme county-wide after it was successfully piloted in Thanet.

Petrol station managers who want to find out more about how to get involved in the scheme should contact PC Ray Warren, who will run the scheme in the Maidstone and Malling area, on 01622 608173.