Police concerned about fuel thefts
Alexandra Gregg • Published 14 Nov 2012 15:00
3 Comments
BRACKNELL police are urging a petrol thief to stop endangering his life and the lives of others by using "risky" syphoning tactics.
The offender has cut the fuel lines on at least 12 vehicles in the past month - and police say the danger of the spilt fuel bursting into flames 'doesn't bear thinking about'.
Detective Inspector Mike Squires, leading the investigation, told The News: "We're concerned about the danger aspects of it - this isn't just a theft.
"Someone could light up a cigarette and the whole thing might go up in flames - it doesn't bear thinking about."
Two of the thefts took place within 24 hours of one another, both occurring last Wednesday (November 7).
DI Squires added: "I want to appeal to the offender, to think about the risk he's posing to himself and to other people. I would ask him to think about the consequences of his actions."
He said the thief could cause "massive" problems for young children, mothers and all other unsuspecting drivers.
"The person who's doing this doesn't know how much fuel is in the car when he cuts the line," he explained. "So if his can is already half full and 40 litres comes out then it'll end up all over the floor."
Det Insp Squires and deputy police commander for Bracknell Forest, Inspector Jon Goosey, both voiced concerns about the dangers of fires as a result of the thefts and explained that drivers not only need to be "aware" that a spate of fuel thefts is happening, but also to check for puddles of fuel underneath their cars.
It is believed that the fuel thief is collecting the fuel in a domestic red jerry can, which can be easily obtained from hardware or car maintenance stores.
Insp Goosey added: "It's happening every day at the moment and trying to capture someone is very difficult.
"We need everyone to let us know if they see someone walking about with a jerry can. They need to phone us."
People with information or who have witnessed someone filling up their tank using a jerry can should contact DI Squires on 101 or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
This article appeared in Bracknell News 14 Nov 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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DunMoaning
66 posts
Nov 15, 07:35
Report commentIs this the new softly softly police approach to crime.
Do they really think the thiefs give a damn, and will stop with a polite request.
Perhaps we should try this approach with all criminals, murders, terrorists and dictators.
Get real put more police on the beat and catch or even better prevent crime.
Novel idea I hope our new commissioner puts more police on the street.
Recommend?
Yes 2
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BruceDenney
42 posts
Nov 15, 09:04
Report commentIt would be impossible to put enough police on the streets to have a reasonable chance of spotting this person.
Policing is a community issue and we have to be part of the solution. Building links with the community and getting the community to stop turning a blind eye to crime is what the new commissioner should be doing.
If we don't want criminals then we need to stop supporting them, we need to report people offering stolen goods, we need to report people buying stolen goods, we need to be the eyes and ears of the police.
Part of the mission statement refers to the fear of crime, there is an inverse to that, the fear of getting caught or grassed up. If we increase the fear of getting caught fewer people will take the risk.
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DunMoaning
66 posts
Nov 27, 06:47
Report commentBruce,
I have mothing wrong with the community taking a active role in policing in the streets, hence why our street is a Neighbourhood Watch Area.
People are to scared to report criminals as they fear retaliations as there are not enough police to protect them..............
Friends and relations who know who is doing this are very unlikely to report them........
But moe police on the street would act as a deterent as currently there are no police on the majority of streets and hence no deterent. If you were to report a crime it would take time for them to get to the scene of the crime, siren blazing and the criminals long gone and no chance to catch me and even if the were catch they would get of with a short sentence in a nice cosy prison cell. There is no prevention and deterent to crime left and criminals know it and hence why petty crime in out of control. Petrol theft, burglary and petty arson and on the roads the horrendous driving.
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