Police plea after crooks target fuel

Police officers in Blairgowrie are investigating after two recent thefts or attempted thefts of fuel from construction sites in the area.

The first happened on between noon on Saturday, March 19 and 7am on Monday, March 21 at a site off Glenalmond Road in Blairgowrie when a quantity of red diesel was stolen.

A second incident happened at a site off Elm Drive between 3pm on Friday, March 25 and 7am on Monday, March 28.

A number of containers were broken into on the site and an unsuccessful attempt was made to steal red diesel from a tank on the site.

Enquiries are ongoing into both incidents and officers are keeping an open mind about links, though there are similarities between the incidents.

Sergeant Andy Shepherd said: “Criminals will always seek to exploit any opportunity and demand for fuel, caused by the increase in prices, is one area they can target.

“Our enquiries into both of these incidents are ongoing.

“While we are not seeing any significant increase in domestic fuel theft at present, we would always encourage people to be vigilant and follow simple crime prevention steps such as fitting an alarm to external fuel tanks, installing security lighting, checking tank levels regularly and using anti-siphoning devices.

“Anyone who has been the victim of fuel theft or has seen any suspicious activity relating to fuel theft should contact Police Scotland via 101.

“Anyone with information about the recent incidents at construction sites are asked to call 101, quoting incident 0484 of March 28 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”