Perceived solutions to curtail the surge in crimes at petrol stations in South Africa

The surge in crimes at petrol stations in South Africa is a fundamental concern for business owners, policymakers, researchers, and the public. If the challenge remains unaddressed, it poses serious drawbacks towards the realisation of sustainable development and community safety aspirations. The surge in crimes at petrol stations bears significant societal and economic impacts. This article explores perceived solutions to address this conundrum drawing from the views of petrol station owners, community members and fuel attendants. A qualitative research approach was adopted within the exploratory research design. A purposive sampling technique was adopted and a total of 25 respondents participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used as data acquisition methods. The findings revealed that to curb crime at petrol stations, there is an urgent need to enhance security and policy visibility. The findings further revealed that a multifaceted approach is required which involves stakeholder collaboration, practical implementation of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, embracing technology and training of fuel attendants. This article submits that addressing the underlying socioeconomic factors that contribute to the rise in criminal activities, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of educational opportunities, may help mitigate the long-term drivers of these issues. Also, awareness raising and community engagement can stimulate crime prevention efforts and may yield positive results in curtailing the surge in crimes at petrol stations.