A GANG was caught on CCTV siphoning diesel from lorries in a spate of fuel thefts in the Dorchester area.

Diesel was stolen from six lorries and a fuel tank at JW Scaffolding in Wanchard Lane, Charminster, and another six lorries were drained at Bardon Aggregates, Warmwell Quarry.

Around 500 litres of diesel, worth at least £500, was stolen from the vehicles at the quarry, where CCTV captured the thieves.

Police are appealing for witnesses and believe the crimes may be linked.

Peter Mole, site manager at Warmwell Quarry, said the level of thefts was worse than ever.

He said: “We’ve been targeted before, over the Easter weekend we had copper stolen – I just don’t know what to do.

“I’ve been with the company for 22 years and this is definitely the worst I’ve ever known it. We’ve never had this level of theft and abuse before.”

“If people keep stealing from us we won’t be able to employ our 50 staff.

“It’s hard enough running a business without having to deal with the police and the damage to the site. The biggest thing is the cost, I can’t afford to keep repairing fences – it will be the death of the business.”

Andrew Cull, a self-employed haulage driver from Wareham said he had 120 litres stolen from his lorry during the incident.

The father of four said: “I’ve owned my own lorry for 25 years and I’m basically self-employed.

“This has happened to me at least ten times before and they’ve all been recent.

“In this last one it was 120 litres, the tank holds just over 400 but I try to leave it as empty as I can.

“But even that isn’t enough – from now on I’m going to completely empty it every night and fill it back up each morning, which is going to be such a hassle and a waste of time but there’s no other option.”

He added: “We’re just trying to make an honest living which is difficult enough without people stealing the fuel from our tanks.

“It was caught on CCTV – it happened at 2am on Sunday, there were six of them.”

Inspector Les Fry said: “Between 1pm on Saturday and 6.30am on Monday offenders entered a yard in Wanchard Lane, Charminster, and stole diesel from a fuel tank and six lorries and caused damage to the site.

“Between 4pm on Friday and 6am on Monday lorries at Bardon Aggregates, Warmwell Quarry had fuel taken.

“There’s nothing to link these incidents at the moment but we’re not ruling it out. We’re appealing for anyone with information to contact Dorset Police.”

He added: “Operation Countryside is trying to reduce rural crime in the area and we will be working with Bardon Aggregates and all the drivers to make theft harder.

“Obviously fuel is getting more expensive and it almost goes without saying that it’s resulting in an increase in these thefts.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police on 101.