Wrexham,North Wales - Fuel theft cases cost thousands across Wrexham and Flintshire

Published date: 30 December 2015 | 

Published by: Owen Evans 
Read more articles by Owen Evans Email reporter

BRAZEN thieves have filled cars with thousands of pounds worth of fuel and driven away without paying.

 

Criminals have stolen £6,159 worth of petrol and diesel from filling stations throughout Wrexham and Flintshire since 2013 – and the majority have got away with it with many cases unsolved.

 

Of 108 incidents in the region, 75 remain unsolved, according to figures released by North Wales Police following a Freedom of Information inquiry by the Leader.

 

A total of 38 arrests have been made relating to the thefts with a number of those leading to people being charged or cautioned by officers.

 

Insp Julie Sheard, of North Wales Police, said: “Over the past two years, a forecourt initiative has been piloted across the force area to streamline investigations.

 

“It builds on relationships with fuel retailers and differentiates between when a crime has taken place and when an individual simply has no means to pay.

 

“This happens if someone refuels but has forgotten their wallet.

 

“The challenge is where incorrect details are provided to the retailer by the perpetrators or when a vehicle’s identifying marks have been altered.

 

“Our focus on fuel theft remains, working with retailers to ensure that thieves are identified and brought to justice.”

 

The highest number of incidents, as well as the highest amount of fuel snatched, took place in Flintshire with just under £4,000 worth of fuel stolen.

 

In Wrexham, fuel valued at £2,257.74 was taken from filling stations between 2013 and 2015.

 

Some of the highest value thefts included one incident in which a motorist stole £157 from a petrol station in Holywell and an undetected incident where

£188.67 was taken from a petrol station in Connah’s Quay.

 

But the figures appear to show a sharp decline in the number of incidents in the region during 2015 up until December, with just one incident in Flintshire and three in Wrexham during the period.

 

The highest number of incidents took place during 2013, where 52 incidents took place in Flintshire and 22 took place in Wrexham.

 

In May, three men were sentenced after being involved in a ‘planned and organised scam’ stealing petrol from forecourts across the region.

see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/156641/fuel-theft-cases-cost-thousands-across-wrexham-and-flintshire.aspx