Fuel thieves drill into car tanks to siphon petrol

Thieves are targeting cars in a Black Country village by drilling through fuel tanks before siphoning off the petrol.

Three incidents were reported in days.

Cars parked in Temple Street, Musk Lane and Abbey Street, in Gornal, near Dudley have been attacked over the past week. Thieves stole 1,000 litres of diesel from a haulier in Willenhall.

Police today said thieves had either drilled through tanks or forced fuel caps in order to drain off the petrol from the cars in Gornal.

The crimewave comes as fuel is at a record high, with a litre of petrol at an average of £1.38.5p and diesel at £1.45.5p.

Resident Catherine Newbury said she believed there were other incidents which may not have been reported.

The 44-year-old, of Prospect Road, parks her Renault Modus in Temple Street and was devastated when she discovered the damage to her car last Friday.

"Someone told me they had seen my car leaking petrol and at first I thought it had been caused by simple wear and tear," she said.

"However when I looked closer it was clear someone had got underneath the vehicle and actually drilled through the tank to siphon off the fuel.

"I am unemployed at the moment and it will cost me around £500 to get the car repaired, which I just cannot afford.

"I use the car to get around looking for work and now I am really going to struggle. Public transport is fine but is very expensive on a daily basis.

"I know other cars in the village have been targeted as well. It is very costly and I want people in the area to know what is happening.

"I personally believe the panic caused by fear of a fuel strike has been the cause of all this."

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Gina Lycett said: "Incidents in this area have been reported to us."