Farms guard against fuel thefts

2:15pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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RISING diesel prices have been blamed for an increase in thefts of fuel from farms in Wiltshire and surrounding counties.

Farmers in the Warminster and Westbury area have already raised awareness of the issue, prompting an increased police presence and a warning issued by the Environment Agency this week.

John Robins, who owns a mixed cattle and crops farm in Longbridge Deverill near Warminster, was instrumental in calling for a meeting with police and the Environment Agency earlier this summer focussing on concerns over scrap metal and fuel thefts.

Thieves are stealing fuel from plastic tanks stored on farms, using red hot metal pipes to burn a hole before siphoning off the fuel, often leaving the remainder spilling onto the ground, potentially threatening groundwater supplies.

Since the meeting Mr Robins said police had increased their presence and the Agency had issued advice to farmers on how to deal with pollution resulting from theft.

Mr Robins said: "Due to the rise in fuel prices farmers are targeted for fuel and are having to increase their security, increase their insurance cover and take greater care of any fuel stored on the premises."

He said 11 police officers attended the meeting at The George pub in Longbridge Deverill, along with farmers from as far away as Wylye and Dilton Marsh.

"We were making the point to police that there is a spate of fuel thefts and scrap metal thefts in the area," Mr Robins added.

"There were two incidents where someone was severely injured by thieves coming in and assaulting the farmer.

"I think the farmers of this area gave the police a wake up call.

"We have improved the police liaison and we are definitely seeing more police presence in this area."

Julian Wardlaw, the Environment Agency's team leader for the Wessex region covering Wiltshire, said they were working with police on the matter.

He said: "We know this type of crime is a significant problem in the south west, and it's getting worse.

"You are talking about a minimum of 2,000 litres of diesel stored on most farms.

"We're obviously concerned for farmers who become victims of fuel theft, but it's important that they know how to protect the environment from any spillages of fuel which the criminals might leave behind."

The Environment Agency has set up a 24-hour pollution hotline for farmers on 0800 80 70 60.

Acting Sergeant Graham Briant, of Warminster police, said: "We are working very hard with the rural communities to tackle crimes committed in these areas both with crime prevention measures and actively patrolling rural areas often in the early hours of the morning.

"At Warminster we have a successful Farmwatch Scheme run by PC Martin Faulkner who liaises with the farming community, monitors rural crime patterns and offers regular updates in a newsletter."