'Crazy' thieves drill cars for petrol

Police patrols have been stepped up in parts of Worcester after nearly 100 incidents of fuel tanks being drilled and petrol drained. The thieves have targeted vehicles in quieter streets in Warndon, St John's and Claines over the past three months, West Mercia Police said. Replacing a tank can cost between £400 to £1,000 depending on the car, mechanics in Worcester said.

Victim David Thomas said the offenders were "crazy" to risk such danger. His car, his wife's and five of his neighbours were all drained of petrol during a night-time raid. He said: "To drill into tanks for petrol, a single cigarette could set light to it, and in an residential area, they must be crazy," he said.



Mechanic Richard Stanley, who has repaired damaged cars, said that the thieves have drilled at least two holes in the tank and drained off what they want, leaving the rest to spill out.

Ch Insp Sharon Gibbons said there had been an increase in reported incidents, particularly in February. She said there were 22 incidents in January, 48 in February and 26 so far in March. "It does make you wonder what facilities they have with them," she said.