THIEVES syphoned hundreds of litres of fuel from coaches parked in Dorchester.

Police in the county town have issued a witness appeal as they investigate the theft of between 1,500 and 2,000 litres of diesel from a number of Damory Coaches at the Grove Trading Estate in the county town.

Nine coaches were also damaged as a result of the theft, which occurred between 6pm on Wednesday, May 28 and 9am the following day.

Police Constable James Prowse, of Dorchester Police, said: “The theft of such a large quantity of fuel will have taken the offenders quite some time and will no doubt have occurred during the hours of darkness.

“I believe that the offenders will have loaded a number of barrels into a vehicle waiting outside of the Damory Coaches compound, before making good their escape.

“I am appealing for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity around the Grove Trading Estate overnight on Wednesday May 29, and anyone with information about those responsible, to contact Dorset Police urgently.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who been offered diesel in unusual circumstances, or for an unusually low price.”

Witnesses or anyone with information can contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 29:100.