Fuel thieves risking lives by drilling into petrol tanks

Thieves are risking lives by drilling through vehicles fuel tanks and siphoning off the fuel.

Police in Rutland have been called to 10 incidents of similar petrol and diesel thefts in the last fortnight.

They said five cars and vans parked in Cottesmore, Market Overton and Thistleton were targeted between 7pm on Monday (DEC 3) and 7am yesterday (DEC 4).

There were also two incidents in Manton and one in North Luffenham, last Wednesday (NOV 28).

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

Officers are urging residents to be vigilant and are asking for help to track down the thieves.

Pcso Steven Houghton said: "We are carrying out various inquiries to locate those responsible but hope that members of the public will also be able to help us. 

"While we would always suggest that people keep their cars on a private driveway where they can, we understand that isn't always possible."Officers out on patrol will be looking for anyone acting suspiciously, but we also want residents in the area to be our extra eyes and ears."

Nigel Shaw, the fire service's district station manager for Rutland, said: "There is a massive risk of sparks from a drill igniting fumes in the tank. These thieves are not only risking their lives but those of others."

Anyone with information about any of the incidents is asked to contact police on 101.