Suspected fuel thief is arrested

A suspected fuel thief thought to have carried out 100 offences during a 10-year spree which included Shropshire, has been arrested police said today.

It comes after West Mercia Police released CCTV images of the suspect, who is thought to have helped himself to fuel worth a total of £6,200 at garage forecourts across the force area and Wales since April 2002.

In one incident, on December 27 last year, the suspect filled up a blue BMW with £75 of fuel at the Esso Service Station on the Whitchurch bypass and drove off without paying – an offence known as 'bilking'.

The serial thief has used a variety of cars with false number plates and has struck at large national chains and smaller local garages in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and South Wales.

Speaking about the arrest, Inspector Neil Whitchurch said: "I can confirm that a 56-year-old man was arrested during the course of the night in the Chepstow area and that he is now in custody in Newport, Gwent.

"The man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and officers from Herefordshire will be travelling down to Newport to speak to him today.

"Searches are being carried out at the man's home address and it is likely these searches will carry on for much of the day.

"This arrest has come about as a result of information passed on by the public and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has come forward and offered us information to aid our investigation."

Meanwhile, police in Herefordshire said two other men – aged 45 and 49 – were also in custody today in connection with fuel theft offences near Ludlow.

Information to police on 0300 333 3000.

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