Beware petrol thieves, say police

After a spate of smiliar thefts across south Worcestershire, West Mercia Police say they are focusing on the crime and are urging people to stay vigilant.

With forecourt petrol prices at an average of 117p per litre, thieves can make off with £60 of fuel if the tanks are full.

But they are causing eight times that amount in damage as the plastic fuel tanks fitted to most new cars are expensieve to repair.

Thieves have turned to drilling holes in tanks after technology was introduced to stop them syphoning fuel with a hose or tubing.

In the latest thefts last week, several cars were targeted in Henwick Road, Worcester, and Martley, near Worcester.

University student Simon Addy, of Henwick Road, had to cough up £500 for a new tank after thieves struck, draining £35 of petrol from his Volkswagen Polo.

He pointed out that the thieves would have had to drive through the front gates of the University of Worcester.

He said: “I need my car because I work back home in Sheffield at the weekend. As a student you can never afford extra expense so I’m £1,000 into my overdraft because of this.”

Neighbours each side of Mr Addy were also hit. In one case thieves left a tank of diesel to drain away on a driveway.

Richard Collins, of Nash Close, Martley, had to walk home across fields when his Land Rover Freelander ran dry. He said: “I got up at 6.30am, got straight in the car and noticed the fuel gauge was low but thought nothing of it.

“When the car stopped I got out, smelled petrol and spotted the holes in the fuel tank. I would rather leave a can of petrol by the car than have them come along and wreck the tank.”

In all, three people were targeted in the cul-de-sac, one in Hollins Lane, and another in Sandpits Close.

Terence Powell’s daughter and son-in-law, also of Nash Close, were heading out for a weekend away when they discovered their Ford Galaxy’s tank had been drained.

“They must be well organised, because they did five cars overnight here in short order,” he said.

Staff at Bromsgrove Motor Factors said they were replacing one tank a week, up from almost none at the end of last year.

In the latest thefts, a cluster of three holes was drilled in the underside of the plastic tanks before the fuel was drained off.

In February, we reported how seven cars were drilled in Monarch Place, Worcester. Earlier that month, 11 cars were hit in Warndon Villages.

Inspector Janet Heritage, of Worcester police, said: “There has been an increase in thefts from tanks in south Worcestershire over the past weeks. The offenders are mainly drilling holes but some petrol has been siphoned.

“The division is already focusing on this issue and officers continue to carry out stop-checks, gather intelligence and maintain visible patrols.

“We would ask residents to remain vigilant.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 0300 333 3000 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

• Have you been hit by these fuel thieves? We're compiling a list of victims. Please call Richard Vernalls on 01905 742258 or email him on rv@worcesternews.co.uk