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Petrol thieves

foofi22
foofi22 Posts: 2,213 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
Went out for a run tonight and came back to find one of my neighbours working in the engine bay of his car.

He advised me to check whether my car still had fuel, because it turns out someone has nicked the petrol from his car. :mad:

He said they had just reached under the bumper and severed the pipes to the fuel pump which he said was conveniently located near the front bumper. Is this sort of stuff common now then?

His car is a 52 Clio, my car (52 106) which was parked next to it in the street, was apparently spared.

Any particular makes vulnerable to this because of the location of pipes etc?

Apparently I live in a 'good' area too!
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Comments

  • mikey72
    mikey72 Posts: 14,680 Forumite
    Normally they just drill a hole in the bottom of the petrol tank.
  • RichGold
    RichGold Posts: 1,244 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Most cars are vulnerable to petrol/diesel theft quite easily in ways I wont go into on a public forum. Its the same with most things really, if they want it, they'll take it,
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • Wig
    Wig Posts: 14,139 Forumite
    This was common in the more run down areas of Cardiff about 7 years ago. They would usually cut the pipes or puncture the petrol tank. A really horrible thing to do to someone, considering most of the fuel then gets lost on the road and the owner is down something like £400 for £20 of fuel.

    Funnily enough I was thinking about this the other day and wondering if it was now rife again what with the price of fuel.
  • s_b
    s_b Posts: 4,464 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    ive been done in the past with cut pipes, but if i caught them i might just offer them a match to help them see what they are doing
  • yes as petrol is dear its getting theived from tanks. theres been a spate of tanks being emptied in my area by way of severed lines. ive gone out and bought braided hose to slip over the existing line exposed under the car. try and cut it with a hack saw creates sparks sparks and fuel go hand in hand for a magnificient fire works display.
  • grizzly1911
    grizzly1911 Posts: 9,965 Forumite
    edited 9 June 2011 at 11:08PM
    I can remember when there were few locking petrol caps/flaps and they would just syphon it out with a bit of tube.
    "If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....

    "big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham
  • s_b
    s_b Posts: 4,464 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I can remember when there were few locking petrol caps/flaps and they would just siphon it out with a bit of tube.

    you cant beat a waso:D
  • grizzly1911
    grizzly1911 Posts: 9,965 Forumite
    s_b wrote: »
    you cant beat a waso:D

    I used to vend petrol, as apart time job whilst at school, we sold loads of those in the petrol rationing good old days of the late seventies:p
    "If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....

    "big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham
  • vax2002
    vax2002 Posts: 7,187 Forumite
    The biggest thieves are the Government
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • property.advert
    property.advert Posts: 4,086 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Got to love the quality of neighbours where they come robbing the petrol from your car. Thankfully I don't have that problem.
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