Fuel Theft Gang Busted in Midlands Raids
Police have slammed a major fuel theft ring after a series of dramatic raids across Birmingham and the West Midlands. The joint operation targeted a suspected organised crime gang behind fuel heists worth over £1 million.
Multiple Raids Across Birmingham
On Friday, warrants were executed at addresses in Smethwick, Small Heath, Handsworth, and Dudley. Both residential homes and industrial units believed to be storing stolen fuel were searched. North Wales Police teamed up with West Midlands Police in the crackdown, making three arrests on the spot.
Massive Fuel Thefts Across the UK
The gang is linked to roughly 40 fuel thefts nationwide. Seven of those were in North Wales, where industrial units in Wrexham, Flintshire, and Anglesey lost around £50,000 worth of fuel each.
Overall, the thieves siphoned off fuel valued at more than £1 million from sites across Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, West Mercia, and Scotland. They used large vehicle batteries to power pumps, stealing up to 10,000 litres per hour by transferring fuel into huge containers.
Investigation Leads to Arrests
“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,” said DCI Alun Oldfield.
“Led by North Wales Police, this cross-force operation culminated in targeted warrants across Birmingham. I’d like to thank West Midlands Police officers and Customs and Excise staff who supported this effort.
“The victims suffered significant financial loss, and these arrests will disrupt future organised fuel thefts across the UK.”
Officers also seized a heavy goods vehicle suspected to be involved in the crimes.
