POLICE cracking down on the rising number of fuel thefts from farms in Cheshire conducted a three-day stop and search operation on the A41.
The joint operation between Cheshire, West Mercia and North Wales Police involved checking suspicious vehicles travelling along the A41 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night.
Inspector Phil Hodgson, of Cheshire Police, said: “We gained some really good intelligence. Operation Maldives was all about gaining information on common problems in rural areas such as fuel, lead and machinery thefts.”
“There has been a marked increase in fuel thefts in the area, particularly from storage facilities and farms. As the price has increased, the thefts have increased.”
NFU regional chairman Denis Parton, a Tarporley farmer, said: “We have heard of a number of fuel thefts from farms in recent weeks. It is terrible, prices have almost doubled in 12 months, and it is very tough for farmers.”
Eaton farmer Warrick Platt, who is part of the Farm Watch scheme, said: “The thing is, if they want to get in they will get in, a lock and a chain won’t stop them.
“I have heard of them actually drilling into the tanks taking what they want, and then leaving the rest to run on the floor.”
Farmer Philip Latham, who runs Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, said farmers have always faced the threat of thieves, but it seems the risk has increased.
