The 30,000 litres of diesel was stolen from pipes running alongside Esso Fawley Refinery, Hampshire [PA]
Police launched an investigation into the “potentially lethal” plot after a large quantity of diesel was discovered at an industrial site in Hampshire on Thursday evening.
Experts believe that criminals extracted the fuel from a 14ins pipeline which runs for 130 miles from the Esso Fawley Refinery in Fawley, Hants, to a site near Birmingham International Airport.
Besides diesel it carries gas, petrol, and highly combustible jet fuel. The Mill Farm industrial estate, in East Wellow, near Romsey, Hants, has been sealed off under police guard since officers found the haul.
The gang are thought to have been tapping into the pipeline for some time. Neighbours have reported seeing people loading fuel onto tankers at night and driving it away.
This sounds extremely dangerous. It’s frightening to think that anyone would even consider this in terms of the consequences – the danger to their own lives and to others
Many were shocked to hear the allegation that the criminals had been putting their lives at risk. One said: “It is outrageous, you are talking about volatile stuff.”
The Environment Agency has been on site to assess the danger to the public. They were joined by staff from pipeline management firm Fisher German and chartered surveyors.
Esso refused to comment on the theft and the possible damage caused to the pipeline.
Simon Williams, a spokesman for the RAC, said the motoring organisation had never heard of such a large-scale theft of fuel, adding: “This sounds extremely dangerous.
“It’s frightening to think that anyone would even consider this in terms of the consequences – the danger to their own lives and to others.”
Two men aged 32 and 34 have been arrested in Salisbury, Wiltshire, in connection with the theft.
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