Five people have been arrested after a spate of fuel thefts from industrial estates across in the Caerphilly area as Gwent Police use forensic marking to catch thieves.
Police arrested three men aged 44, 23 and 26 and a 45-year-old woman from Rhymney, as well as a 21-year-old-man from the Caerphilly.
All were arrested for theft and have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Detective Inspector Nick Wilkie said: “Officers have been targeting their patrols on Industrial estates throughout Caerphilly, we are now working to help prevent further crimes taking place and bringing offenders to justice by using forensic marking technology on fuel tanks in the area.
“Anyone attempting to steal fuel will be covered in an invisible forensic marking substance, which cannot be washed off. Forensic marking technology used in each location is unique, meaning thieves who steal fuel will be covered in a substance which places them at the exact scene of the crime.
“Anyone arrested for fuel theft will be examined for traces of the forensic marking technology through our UV scanning cell in Gwent.
“The theft of fuel is very dangerous, turning on the ignition or dropping a cigarette stub onto the ground next to the a lorry that has had fuel illegally siphoned could have disastrous consequences. Please report any suspicious activity immediately by calling Gwent Police on 101”
Good! I’m glad thieves are being caught using incontravertable evidence provided by new techniques. Stealing fuel can cause danger for the innocent, if it is petrol, but I do doubt diesel, which is what lorries use, is as easy to ignite as mentioned in the article. It reminds me of the signs that used to be put up in petrol stations demanding that mobile phones be switched off when refueling. In fact there is no chance of a mobile phone causing a fire at a petrol pump.