Gasoline thefts rise in Switzerland: Report

GENEVA (AA) - Following an increase in gasoline thefts, a Shell gas station in Martigny in the Swiss canton of Valais resorted to an unusual measure during the fall vacations.

Customers have to report to the cashier before the pump was unlocked for them, according to the daily Nouvelliste.

One motorist told the newspaper he was surprised by the measure, saying: "Even abroad, you don't often see something like this in broad daylight. In what world do we live?"

The gas station had introduced the measure, which has since been rescinded, after several thefts. A Shell spokeswoman told the Valais daily that such thefts had been noted more frequently since fuel prices began to rise at the start of the year.

For data protection reasons, however, the company could not say how many gas stations in Switzerland were affected.