Letters: Pre-payment is the only real fix for petrol theft

Readers writing to a British newspaper respond to a story about petrol theft, with one recounting a visit to the US where pre-payment at the pump is standard practice. He argues the UK should adopt the same system — requiring cash or a card deposit before fuel is released — to deter drive-offs.

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Fuelling up | Child health | Burnham spirit | DIY disaster

I was once visiting Massachusetts in the US and forgot to take my card into the gas station before filling up ( ‘A guy did a runner in a Jaguar’: the petrol theft scandal – and the garage owner struggling to stop it, 21 July ). After some loudspeaker remonstration, I took my card in, apologising that I’d forgotten as we don’t do that in the UK. The owner almost fell on the floor laughing. “How do you stop people stealing gas?” he asked. “We don’t,” I replied. Further merriment ensued. Sadly, it’s time we did start not releasing pumps until we have cash or a card deposit on hand.

Paul Taroni

Alton, Hampshire

• I shall always remember the health visitor who came to see me after my youngest son was born, nearly 50 years ago ( Letters, 21 July ). She had the brilliant idea of asking me if I could deliver a message for her to another mother with a new baby living further up our north London street. I did, and we became firm friends – as did our sons. As your letter writers suggest, she was indeed addressing the wider social determinants of health. Bring them back!

Bridget Patterson

Woodbridge, Suffolk

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