Drivers in Suffolk have been warned about thieves who are targeting vehicles for fuel after a number of incidents were reported to the police.
The reports revealed that HGVs and other vehicles had been targeted by thieves who parked overnight in laybys.
The incidents occurred on the A14 in the Bury St Edmunds with more cases flagged since March 1. The latest report showed thieves stealing fuel from cars off the A14 at Rougham overnight last week.
In the Ipswich area, four incidents were recorded along the A14 and A12 corridor in March and April.
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Thieves targeting vehicles along the A14 route
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Diesel was stolen from a lorry in a layby near Bury Road on March 8 with HGVs targeted at Copdock Interchange on March 31 and in a layby at Copdock on the A12 overnight on the 5 and 6 April.
Another fuel theft occurred in the middle of the night on April 2 along the A14 at Claydon.
Police warned that while some incidents have been raised, not all of them are reported, meaning the number of thefts is likely to be higher.
Drivers therefore, are encouraged to report all incidents to the police so important evidence can be gathered.
The thefts come as the price of fuel reaches unprecedented heights in the UK, going up as much as 6p since the start of the year.
Petrol went up nearly 2p per litre in March from 144.62p to 146.48p, while diesel rose by 1.31p from 154.68p to 155.99p making it the third consecutive month of rises.
Superintendent Matthew Carney, said: “We have seen a number of these types of thefts this year.
“Thieves are damaging and breaking fuel caps in a bid to get to the fuel and I would urge any lorry drivers and haulage company owners to take steps to prevent themselves from becoming victims.
“If you are a victim, please report the incident as soon as possible.”
Commercial vehicles are often seen as prime targets for fuel thefts because of the volume of fuel in their fuel tanks, the police detailed.
Due to these types of vehicles often being parked in laybys on busy dual carriageways, fuel can be stolen while the drivers are asleep in their vehicles.
In addition to the cost of the stolen fuel, vehicle fuel caps, tanks and fuel lines are sometimes damaged. Suffolk police added.
To prevent fuel thefts, drivers should fit their vehicles with locking fuel caps and anti-siphoning deterrents.
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To prevent fuel thefts, drivers should fit their vehicles with locking fuel caps and anti-siphoning deterrents
PAThe police continued: “Any drivers noticing people loitering near vehicles should note the time, date and location, as well as the descriptions of the people.
“Adopt defensive parking measures whenever and wherever possible, such as parking in a highly visible, well-lit areas or using off-road parking areas such as secure compounds or lorry parks, although these can be targeted.
“Park vehicles so that fuel tanks are as inaccessible as possible, such as parking the vehicle tank close to a wall or park vehicles tank to tank if possible.
“Don’t make it easy for the thieves, make sure that compounds don’t contain items that might help a thief intending to steal from vehicles. Objects that could be used for climbing perimeter fencing should not be left lying around.”