Police warn fuel thieves they are 'risking their lives'

Police say they have noticed a rise in the number of fuel tanks being drilled into as people attempt to steal petrol and diesel from vehicles.

Thirty-six of the 52 local police forces in the UK have released figures revealing the scale of fuel theft in their areas.

The statistics show that in 2011 there were at least 8,235 reported cases.

That is the highest it has been since 2008, according to the available figures.

More than 1,200 of the thefts took place in Lincolnshire.

Inspector Phil Baker, from the county's police force, says that is a rise of 17% since 2010.

"It's big business for organised crime," he said. "It's business too for those who can't afford to run their car on a daily basis, so they'll steal it if they can."

He says the high cost of fuel on the forecourt is one of the main reasons for the increase and that people are risking their lives by drilling into tanks.

"Petrol fumes have the chance of igniting alone, especially from a hot drill bit," added Phil Baker. "You are without a doubt putting your life at risk.

"You need to be underneath the vehicle. If anything does happen while you're under there you wouldn't be able to get out.

"If it does explode we're going to have to pick up the pieces, and so is your family."

Clive Crossley, 28, had his petrol tank drilled in November last year after leaving it in a car park in Manchester city centre.

He said: "Basically I got to the car one night after work as normal.

"I started the car up and the petrol light came on.

"There was a big pool on the floor and the petrol tank was empty.

"I called out a recovery service. They took one look at the car, went underneath, checked the tank and informed me that it had been drilled into.

"It's not something I'd ever heard of.

"I was quite shocked that someone had actually intentionally drilled in to take the petrol."

He says it cost him more than £350 to replace his tank.

"It's the cost of a holiday, a long weekend away," he added. "I really do think it's an indication of how desperate some people are.

"If I'd have been a smoker and thrown a cigarette down, there could have been a massive explosion. Someone could have been killed."