Birmingham Airport's oil pipeline closed down by fuel theft
One of the UK's main underground oil pipes, which carries supplies to Birmingham Airport, has been shut down after thieves were suspected of extracting fuel.
Two men have been arrested after a large quantity of diesel was discovered in a warehouse which police believe may have been taken from the Midline pipeline.
The pipeline was built in the 1980s and runs underground carrying fuel through Wiltshire to the Midlands, including Birmingham International Airport.
Birmingham Airport today said there had been no impact on the airport as a result of the shut down.
Police officers made the discovery in the warehouse in West Wellow, on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border, on Thursday.
The suspects, aged 32 and 34, were arrested in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and are being questioned by detectives from Hampshire police.
It is understood that detectives are investigating whether a total of 30,000 litres of fuel was extracted from a pipeline running from the Esso refinery at Fawley.
Officials from the Environment Agency and health and safety experts have attended the crime scene to ensure the safety of the area.
An Esso spokesman said:"Early indications suggest that the fuel may have come from a nearby Esso pipeline. Investigations continue into whether this is the case.
"Esso is committed to the very highest standards of safety. The pipeline has therefore been closed down and our specialists are working to check it and, if necessary, effect any repair.
"We will not resume operations of the pipeline until this work is complete."
A Hampshire Police spokesman said two men, aged 32 and 34 from the Salisbury area, remain in police custody for questioning on suspicion of conspiracy to steal fuel.
"Police launched an investigation after a large quantity of diesel was found in an industrial storage unit at West Wellow," he said.
"Lines of inquiry include establishing the exact amount of fuel stolen and examining the suspected sophisticated method used in this alleged theft. The discovery was made by the unit's owner at around 7.30pm on Thursday. It is believed to have been illegally obtained.
"The exact quantity and circumstances surrounding the accumulation of fuel are central to the investigation, and detectives are focusing on identifying those responsible.
A Birmingham Airport spokeswoman said: "There has been no impact on Birmingham Airport due to this incident and the airport has operated as usual."
She added the airport receives the majority of fuel from road tankers and this pipeline only supplies a small proportion of fuel.
