Hauliers urged to take steps against fuel thieves

A spate of incidents along the A14 in which HGVs have had diesel stolen from their tanks has prompted the police to tell drivers to remain vigilant.

In total, nine offences in lorry parks and laybys in the Bury St Edmunds area have been reported since 1 March, according to Suffolk constabulary.

In the most recent incident, thieves targeted a lorry park off the A14 at Rougham overnight between 5 and 6 April.

In the Ipswich area, four incidents have been reported along the A14 and A12 corridor in March and April. Diesel was stolen from a lorry in a layby near Bury Road on 8 March and HGVs were targeted at Copdock Interchange on 31 March and in a layby at Copdock on the A12 overnight 5 and 6 April.

A further theft occurred overnight on 2 April on the A14 at Claydon.

The police said not all incidents are reported and the number of thefts is likely to be higher. All incidents should be reported to police so important evidence can be gathered.

Superintendent Matthew Carney said: “We have seen a number of these types of thefts this year.

“Thieves are damaging and breaking fuel caps in a bid to get to the fuel and I would urge any lorry drivers and haulage company owners to take steps to prevent themselves from becoming victims.”