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Romford Forecourt’s £12,000 ANPR and Face Recognition System Cuts Fuel Theft by 80%

Essex Police rejects claims of inaction, citing an almost halved rate of drive-off offences, rising charges, expanded neighbourhood policing.

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Overview

  • Owner Goran Raven says losses exceeding £30,000 over four years led him to install ANPR and facial recognition about nine months ago.
  • The AI system cross-references plates with DVLA data, flags mismatches or known offenders, and can shut off pumps before fuel is dispensed.
  • He reports thefts at the Romford site are down around 80% and warns offenders may shift to less protected forecourts.
  • Facial recognition at the on-site Budgens store is described as deterring shoplifters through visible warnings rather than confrontation.
  • Essex Police says making off without payment offences have almost halved in the last year and points to more than 3,000 shop-theft charges plus over 900 charges since April following larger neighbourhood teams.