Lorry firms plagued by repeat fuel thefts

Fuel thieves are stealing from businesses in the same Black Country road up to three times a week.

Bosses have forked out thousands of pounds to continually repair security fencing on Neachells Lane in Willenhall.

The latest attack saw £600 worth of diesel syphoned off from two lorries.

A set of businesses use properties owned by Oakendale, all of which have been hit by thefts. Staff are now calling on Walsall Council to cut back trees where they believe the thieves are hiding their fuel cans.

Empty drums have been found there before. Thieves keep using bolt croppers on the fencing and break into lorries to siphon fuel from their tanks. Site owner Roy Aston, aged 69, today said the problem had become worse as fuel costs soared.

He said: "It's happening two to three times a week at the moment.

"We're getting broken into and the businesses are having fuel taken.

"There's 9ft high metal fencing but they are just cutting through it. Making a repair each time costs about £150 to £200, it's cost me thousands over the years."

The most recent attack was on Thursday when two lorries owned by haulage firm RJ Brookes were broken into.

Stuart Pedley, who runs neighbouring Pedley Scaffolding, said: "About six months ago we kept having fuel stolen.

"They would take about hundreds of pounds worth at a time. We put special secure caps over the tanks but they would break them off, causing damage as well as stealing the diesel."

Sarah Astbury, spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "We are addressing this issue with a string of covert and high visibility measures. The rising price of fuel has undoubtedly played a major part in the increase, but we have been working closely with industry bodies and individual garage owners to tackle the problem."