DEVON and Cornwall Police chiefs said this week that officers will no longer routinely respond when drivers leave a garage forecourt without paying for fuel.

The force said approximately 1,600 reports of bilking were received each year and that, faced with budget cuts, it had to leave business owners to pursue most cases through civil action.

It claimed there were 'many garages' in the two counties where measures had been taken to ensure it was not possible to leave without paying and that crime prevention advice would be offered.