Police warn of rising diesel thefts on construction sites as prices soar

North Wales Police have issued a warning about a rising trend of thefts of diesel from construction sites in the area.

The force attributed the rising prices at the pumps for the increase in thefts on site. Petrol and diesel prices hit a record high this week despite a drop-off in wholesale prices. On Sunday, the average cost of petrol, according to data firm Experian Catalist, was 163.5p, while diesel moved to 173.4p.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “During this exacerbated period of oil and fuel price inflation, we are seeing some increases in the theft of heating oil and diesel from farms and construction sites across North Wales. Thieves can syphon fuel from tanks within minutes and tanks that are not properly protected are very easy targets.”

Sergeant Liam Jones from the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team added: “It’s not a massive increase so far. However, we have seen, year-to-date, six instances of thefts from fuel containers and fuel tanks, either on own farmyards or construction sites.”

The police issued the warning alongside advice to protect sites from theft, including tank alarms, CCTV installation and floodlight covering.

Construction site security provider Clearway’s sustainable site security specialist, Rachel Peers, said there had been a rise in diesel thefts on sites across the whole country since Christmas last year.