Haulage firm is counting cost of fuel thief raids
CULPRITS ARE ‘BRAZEN’ SAYS BOSS OF TRANSPORT COMPANY
THIEVES have targeted a Tyneside haulage firm five times in six weeks.
The fuel raiders are siphoning off diesel from HGV tanks after breaking into Tony Carter Transport on Clockmill Road, Dunston in Gateshead.
The mob have also cause hundreds of pounds of damage.
CCTV caught the thieves entering the compound on numerous occasions between 11.15pm on Sunday and 3.30am on Monday to steal fuel.
Northumbria Police said there has been a spate of diesel thefts in the waterfront area and an investigation is under way.
Tony Carter, who has owned the haulage firm for four years, believes the ‘brazen’ thieves are professionals.
The 46-year-old said: “They broke into six vehicles, possibly seven, on Sunday night.
“This is the fifth time in six weeks that we have been targeted.
“It is different amounts every time sometimes it is worth £25 and other times it is worth a lot more.”
Mr Carter spent thousands of pounds installing a CCTV system but said it has not deterred the thieves.
He said: “They know what they are doing and have their faces covered
“.They know where the cameras are and are so brazen.
“They keep coming over the fence next to the main road and use a screwdriver to open the fuel tank.”
The yard has been targeted previously but Mr Carter said it was becoming more frequent.
He said: “We were broken into last year but it was the odd occasion. “It is almost every week now.” Mr Carter said the situation was becoming “ridiculous”.
He added: “I think overall it will have cost us a low four-figure sum.”
Northumbria Police neighbourhood inspector Ronnie Lowes said: “A number of enquiries are under way to identify those responsible and good progress is being made with the investigation.”
Anyone with information should call the police on 101 and ask for the Gateshead West Neighbourhood Policing Team.