Three held after raids targeting suspected £1million fuel thieves
SEVEN NORTH WALES SITES AMONG 40 HIT ACROSS UK
THREE people suspected of stealing £1million worth of fuel have been arrested following a series of raids led by North Wales Police (NWP).
Addresses in the West Midlands were searched on Friday morning for evidence of large-scale fuel theft. The group was suspected of involvement in around 40 thefts from sites across the UK, including seven in North Wales.
Industrial units in Wrexham, Flintshire and Anglesey were targeted and in each case around £50,000 worth of fuel was stolen.
The thieves used large vehicle batteries to power pump systems to syphon fuel from storage tanks to large intermediate bulk containers (IBCS).
Using these devices, they were able to extract around 10,000 litres of fuel per hour at each location.
NWP officers were supported by colleagues from West Midlands Police in the raids. As well as making three arrests, officers seized a heavy goods vehicle suspected of being used for fuel thefts.
DCI Alun Oldfield of NWP said: “Today’s arrests are the result of an intensive year-long investigation, which sought to identify those responsible for a spate of largescale fuel thefts.
“Led by North Wales Police officers, this cross-force operation culminated in the execution of targeted warrants across the Birmingham area.
“I would like to thank West Midlands Police officers and the Customs and Excise staff who assisted in this operation.
“Victims incurred significant financial losses as a result of these crimes and today’s arrests will disrupt the co-ordinated planning of future fuel thefts across the UK.”
The raids followed an extensive joint-policing operation targeting a suspected organised crime gang based in the West Midlands.
Addresses in the Smethwick, Small Heath, Handsworth and Dudley areas of Birmingham were identified and searched. These included residential properties and industrial units where suspects were believed to be storing fuel.
The arrested suspects remain in custody and the investigation is still ongoing.
NWP has previously urged people to take precautions after fuel was stolen in Conwy and Denbighshire following recent price rises.