Jaguar cars targeted by petrol thieves

Twelve incidents of drained tanks across North Hampshire are reported by police

A TADLEY man whose Jaguar has been targeted by petrol thieves outside his own home some five times in the past 10 months, is one of several victims of a series of similar thefts across North Hampshire.

According to Hampshire police, on at least 12 occasions since June, the fuel tanks of Jaguar cars have been drained overnight while parked outside owners home. The fuel stolen was valued at £500.

Pc Matt Deery said: “An owner from Burghclere has had his fuel stolen on five occasions, an owner in Tadley has had five tanks of fuel stolen and an owner in Kingsclere, two.”

Jon Lang, who has lived in Tadley for some 11 years and is a manager for Panasonic CISC-EU in Bracknell, said that petrol had been stolen from the tank of his car while it was parked outside his house, about five times since last June, costing a total of about £240.

“The first few times it happened, I thought there may have been some kind of fuel leak, which can be quite worrying from a safety point of view,” he said.

“I have a wife, three great kids, two cars and a mortgage to try to cover from one income, and this sort of additional problem doesn't help.”

His wife Rachael said that the thefts meant that less money was available for the family of five's weekly budget, including food shopping.

She said that on one occasion a full tank of petrol had been taken and her husband had only realised because he ran out of fuel before reaching the M4.

She said that it was puzzling that no one had seen or heard the culprit, since it was a fairly quiet road, especially after the local pubs closed at around 11pm.

She thought it likely that rising fuel costs had been a reason for the thefts.

“Before Christmas it cost £70 to fill the tank from empty, that has now risen to £90,” she said.

Police would like to speak to a man in connection with the thefts who was described as being white, in his 50s or 60s and who had been spotted wearing a jacket with a darker-coloured panel across the shoulders.

“This man will have a good knowledge of Jaguar XJ models and may well drive a similar car,” said Pc Deery.

“I believe that he will be well known in the community and would urge you to contact myself if you have any suspicions.”

Anyone with information, including other Jaguar owners who have experienced a similar crime, should telephone Pc 3126 Matt Deery via the main Hampshire police switchboard, on 0845 045 45 45.