Soaring fuel prices blamed for petrol thefts

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Wednesday 12th Dec 2007.

HIGH petrol prices may be to blame for a spate of thefts of petrol from cars in Verwood, according to police.

Eighteen vehicles in the town, including high performance cars such as Jaguars and BMWs, were targeted in the town in the early hours of December 5.

PC Nick Brown of Dorset Police said: "It may be due to the high price of fuel at the moment that someone or a group of people have decided to steal petrol.

"The vehicles were all unattended and parked on driveways or in the street. Cars had their petrol flaps forced and petrol caps drilled out before the fuel was siphoned.

"It must have taken some time to siphon petrol from this number of cards. I'm appealing to anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour by a person or a group, perhaps someone walking with a fuel can in their hand, to get in touch."

Anyone with any information that might help can contact Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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