A pioneering trial has been launched to combat petrol station crime.

More than 120 representatives from petrol stations, the oil industry and police divisions and forces across the country attended the launch yesterday of the East Downs Forecourt Watch.

It is being piloted in East Downs, covering Eastbourne, Seaford, Lewes, Newhaven and Hailsham, to cut forecourt crime that costs petrol retailers £50 million a year.

In Sussex, figures reveal that there were 7,200 crimes committed on forecourts from January this year up until yesterday.

Of that figure, more than 5,200 crimes were related to people driving off without paying for petrol, which is why part of the scheme will concentrate on targeting those motorists who drive off without settling their bill.

Service station staff and retailers will be given a ready-made reporting pack to document offences as they happen before they are handed to police.

Information on offenders will also be shared between members of the East Downs Forecourt Watch.

If successful, the scheme, in partnership with the British Oil Security Syndicate (Boss), could be widened to cover the entire Sussex Police area.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Stevens, who heads the trial, said: "Sussex is probably the first force in the country to look at this specific problem.

"We have identified the issues staff and retailers encounter when people claim they have no means of payment.

"We have designed a procedure for the recording and supplying of evidence in the event of a necessary investigation."

Tom Sterling, Boss regional co-ordinator for the South East, said people who commit forecourt crime are often involved in more serious crime.

He added: "The scheme will undoubtedly help to make petrol forecourts safer places for staff and customers.

"By working in partnership with the Sussex Police to reduce forecourt crime we can also help to reduce a variety of other crimes."