Recent incidents over the last week in Lunanhead, the Monifieth and Carnoustie areas have seen diesel being siphoned from a number of vehicle fuel tanks.

A police appeal for information was issued yesterday following the theft of several hundred litres of diesel from DJ Laing's premises at Panmure Industrial Estate, Carnoustie between 8pm on Friday and 5am on Saturday.

Officers would also like to hear from anyone who can assist with enquiries into the theft of almost 2000 litres of diesel from several heavy goods vehicles parked at Laird Brothers (Forfar) Ltd, on Old Brechin Road at Lunanhead.

The theft happened sometime between 7pm last Thursday and 4.40am on Friday.

And enquiries are also continuing into the theft of around 150 litres of diesel from a HGV at Cunmont Quarry at Kingennie, sometime between 2.30pm on Saturday, April 5 and 7am on Sunday, April 6.

Large vehicles

In each incident, the quantities removed suggest that large vehicles would have been required to transport the stolen diesel.

Derek Mitchell, Crime Reduction Officer at Forfar said: "Clearly, the loss of a large quantity of diesel can be of great expense to a local business. By securing vehicles and tanks within lockable, alarmed, storage facilities, this can reduce the opportunities for thieves.

"The use of suitable security lighting along with adequate perimeter fencing, lockable gates and CCTV provides further deterrent.

"There are also many products on the market that are specifically designed to prevent siphoning, as well as adapted locking caps or devices. These items are designed to be permanently fitted to fuel tanks and make it more difficult for the thief.

"I would ask businesses and their staff to also consider where and how vehicles are parked. If the vehicle is within easy reach from a public road, or in an area hidden from view, it can be present a convenient, easy or hidden opportunity for the criminal."

Vigilant

Tayside Police asks the public to be vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity, people or vehicles seen near to premises storing diesel. Also, anyone who is offered cheap or cut price diesel for sale, should realise they too could end up committing a crime and should decline any such offers and report them to the police.

Free security advice is available from your local Crime Reduction Officer at Forfar (01307) 303937.

Anyone with information regarding the aforementioned incidents should contact Tayside Police on Forfar (01307) 302200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.