Now thieves drill tanks for fuel!

Where there’s a drill, there’s a way. So say fuel thieves, who are cashing in on sky-high pump prices by drilling and draining motorists’ tanks.

Car insurer Direct Line reports that there has been a spate of claims for this type of damage, caused by tooled-up crooks, which can cost thousands of pounds to fix.

Its spokesman added: “Four-wheel-drive cars are being targeted in particular, because their large tanks can hold as much as £100 worth of diesel or unleaded. Also, the high ground clearance allows easy access for drilling a hole.”

With older models, it takes just a hose, a bucket and some strong lungs to siphon off fuel, but intricate filler caps on modern cars make it impossible.

There has also been a rise in thefts of number plates, used to foil recognition cameras on filling station forecourts.

The good news? Chancellor Alistair Darling has scrapped the two pence rise in fuel duty, due to take effect in October.