Thieves launch raids on farmers' stocks of diesel

Jun 3 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

ROCKETING thefts of farmers’ red diesel in the North East are being spurred by high prices at the pumps.

Experts at agricultural insurer NFU Mutual said they had seen more thefts in all areas of the North East, with Northumberland farmers in particular suffering.

In one incident last month in the Alnwick area, 1,200 gallons of the fuel – which can be used legally only in farm vehicles – was stolen the day after it had been bought for about £2,700.

There has also been a higher-than-average number of thefts reported in County Durham.

Industry watchers say the fuel is being stolen from vulnerable tanks on farmland.

Much of it is then sold to haulage firms, which have seen costs soar as the price of ordinary white diesel hits all-time highs. But some may also be used by ordinary motorists.

A spokesman for NFU Mutual said: “We believe most of the increase is down to gangs who move around the region at speed.

“But I’m sure some is also being stolen by ordinary people in diesel cars, who just drive off after filling their tank.

“With the price of normal fuel so high, it is very tempting. Nationally we have seen a 30% increase in red diesel theft and that is reflected in the North East.

“It is adding to feelings of fear amongst the rural community.”

And the impact of the theft is not just financial – it can also cause serious environmental damage.

Ken Johnston, of NFU Mutual at Alnwick, said: “On one occasion the robber used a hacksaw to cut off the valve of a tank.

“He took what he wanted from the tank but then obviously couldn’t block the hole. The rest of the diesel just drained away. This has happened a few times and it causes huge environmental damage, not just to the field but also to the watercourses it drains into.

“The costs of cleaning up the mess are higher than the value of the diesel.

“The only explanation for the number of thefts we are seeing can be higher fuel prices, which are crippling people.”

A spokesman for HM Revenue & Customs, which is responsible for policing the use of red diesel, said: “We have a strategy in place and when we detect that someone is using red diesel illegally we investigate.

“If they are found to be, then we impose sanctions.

“These can include cars being impounded and fines being imposed.”

Last year HMRC caught more than 4,000 people nationally using the fuel. Insp Sue Peart, Alnwick and rural north sector head for Northumbria Police, said: “We have a number of ongoing operations targeting this problem which have proved very successful and just last month a man was arrested and charged with this offence.

“Our simple advice to farmers is to keep their petrol caps locked wherever possible, whether it be on a car or on a tank.

“We also look at longer-term solutions and encourage people to join crime prevention networks such as Farm Watch, which has proved to be particularly effective in north Northumberland. We would also encourage farmers to seek specific crime reduction advice from the police relating to their own farm establishment and to report any suspicious vehicles or movements to the police as soon as possible.”

In the red

RED DIESEL is almost identical to ordinary fuel and can be used by all diesel vehicles.

Red dye differentiates it from white diesel. It can be used legally only by farm vehicles and by construction trucks which do not go on public roads. It costs about 50p a litre as tax is lower.

The dye stains fuel tanks for many years and so is easily detected if cars are inspected.

A National Farmers Union spokesman said: "Bearing in mind the reported increases in the number of thefts, we would certainly recommend our members to check their insurance policies and also make sure they keep on the lookout for anyone acting suspiciously and lock up their fuel supply as securely as possible."