A GROUP suspected of large-scale fuel theft has been arrested, following a series of raids led by North Wales Police.
The raids followed an extensive joint-policing operation targeting a suspected Organised Crime Gang based in the West Midlands.
On Friday (April 22), addresses in the Smethwick, Small Heath, Handsworth and Dudley areas of Birmingham were identified and searched under warrants.
These addresses included both residential properties, and industrial units where suspects were believed to be storing fuel.
North Wales Police officers were assisted by colleagues from West Midlands Police in executing the raids, which resulted in the arrest of three people.
In addition to today’s arrests, officers seized a heavy goods vehicle suspected to be linked with fuel thefts.
The group is suspected of involvement in approximately 40 thefts from sites all over the UK, with seven of these incidents reported within North Wales.
READ MORE: Two people die and three seriously hurt in Bagillt collision
In each of the North Wales offences, committed at industrial units in Wrexham, Flintshire and Anglesey, police said approximately £50,000 worth of fuel was stolen.
Cumulatively, the gang is suspected to have stolen fuel worth over £1 million in offences committed in Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, West Mercia and Scotland.
Thieves used large vehicle batteries to power pump systems which moved the fuel from storage tanks to large intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).
Using these devices enabled the suspects to syphon around 10,000 litres of fuel per hour at each offence location.
DCI Alun Oldfield said: “Today’s arrests are the result of an intensive year-long investigation, which sought to identify those responsible for a spate of large-scale fuel thefts.
“Led by North Wales Police officers, this cross-force operation culminated in the execution of targeted warrants across the Birmingham area.
“I would like to thank West Midlands Police officers and the Customs and Excise staff who assisted in this operation.
“Victims incurred significant financial losses as a result of these crimes and today’s arrests will disrupt the co-ordinated planning of future fuel thefts across the UK.”
The arrested suspects remain in custody and the investigation remains ongoing.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here