Criminal gangs who strip vehicles of parts are now turning to stealing fuel as prices rocket, transport managers are being warned.
The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) said tanks of commercial vehicles parked in secure depots have been drilled and drained overnight.
A meeting of the industry body’s Mega Fleets Committee, representing its largest vehicle operators, heard the fleet managers experiencing these issues suspect the same criminals are responsible.
Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP, said: “Following the recent oil price spikes, some fleets are reporting a few instances of what appear to be professional fuel thefts where the tanks of commercial vehicles parked in secure depots are drilled and drained overnight. This is often affecting operators in the same places where vehicles are stripped for parts.”
The AFP leader said the gangs undertaking this kind of activity are clearly expert and organised at stripping parts quickly and efficiently and, from these instances, it seems some are turning their attention to fuel with similar proficiency.
Hollick added: “Stealing diesel is potentially a more rewarding crime while prices at the pumps remain high.”
