News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

Fuel thieves thwarted by swift police response

Police at the scene. Photograph: North Yorkshire Police
@ Crime

A large of amount of suspected stolen diesel has been recovered, after thieves were disturbed by police in York.

Suspects targeted a building site on Tadcaster Road in Dringhouses, York, last night – but thanks to an immediate police response, they ran off apparently empty-handed.

North Yorkshire Police were called at 11.20pm on Wednesday (26 February) by a witness reporting suspicious activity, and officers were at the scene within four minutes.

A Vauxhall Corsa was found abandoned nearby, containing several large drums of suspected stolen diesel fuel.

The car has been seized by police for forensic examination. The fuel will be returned to its rightful owner.

Advertisement

Men ran off

A number of men were seen running across Tadcaster Road around the time of the incident, and enquiries are ongoing to locate them.

Anyone who witnessed the attempted theft, or has any information that could assist the ongoing investigation, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference NYP-26022020-0547.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

  • By their nature, building sites and compounds – particularly those in rural areas, or areas away from residential property – are vulnerable and attractive targets for criminals.

    That means it’s really important to take extra security measures. Wherever possible, keep vehicles, plant and power tools in a secure and well-lit area, preferably a garage or outbuilding. Consider CCTV, fuel cap alarms, cages and other security measures.

    Even simple techniques like ‘defensive parking’ – parking vehicles against solid objects on the fuel tank side to prevent access – can have a strong deterrent effect.

Even simple techniques like ‘defensive parking’ – parking vehicles against solid objects on the fuel tank side to prevent access – can have a strong deterrent effect.

Police also recommended getting property security-marked. Permanent marking, like a ‘dot peen’ security mark, will deter thieves, as it makes the equipment far harder to sell on.