Fuel thieves target vehicles

Thieves who forced filler caps to steal fuel from vehicles in a Shropshire village are being hunted by police.

Some of the eight cars were also damaged in the attacks in Minsterley, near Shrewsbury.

It is unclear whether one person or a group was responsible and police are appealing for witnesses.

Police say it is also unclear whether the fuel was taken to be sold on or used by the culprits.

The vehicles were all parked in the area of Drury Lane and Plox Green Road when they were targeted between about 10pm on Tuesday and 8am yesterday.

Damage was caused to locking filler caps as they were forced open.

One vehicle, a green Saab, also suffered damage to one of the doors, which was forced open to access the button release for the cap.

A white Ford pick-up truck was broken into and two cans of fuel stolen from inside.

A five litre bottle and a length of plastic tubing, believed to be for siphoning fuel, was found at the end of a driveway on the A488 and has been seized by police for examination.

At two of the addresses, more than one vehicle was attacked and damage caused.

It is not believed a large amount of fuel was stolen from any of the cars.

Constable Jon Summerfield, local police officer for the area, today urged anybody with information to contact police on 0300 333 3000.