Fuel stolen from nine cars

Police are appealing for information after nine cars in Laindon had fuel stolen from them.

An estimated £1,850 worth of damage was caused to the vehicles in the Lee Chapel North ward after a hole was drilled in their fuel tanks and an estimated £290 of petrol and diesel stolen.

All nine of the incidents occurred between Sunday, January 2 and late morning on Monday, January 3 in in Bretons, Eldeland, Long Lynderswood, Beeston Court, Moretons Court, Wickhay, Dordells and two in Gladwyns.

The cars targeted included a Ford van, a Ford Fiesta, a Ford Focus, a Nissan Micra and a Vauxhall Astra.

In the most costly incident in Gladwyns, suspects drilled a hole in the fuel tank of a Ford Fiesta, causing £500 damage. An estimated £50 of diesel was stolen.

Insp Mark Rayner said: “An extensive amount of damage has been caused to nine victim’s cars at the hands of these thieves, which is something no-one needs to pay out for just after Christmas.

“It wouldn’t be a quick job to steal this amount of fuel, so I’m confident someone will have seen this suspect. Any amount of information could prove vital to our investigation, so if you saw something or know who is responsible, we want to hear from you.”

If you have any information about these crimes, please contact police at Laindon police station on 0300 333 4444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.