Petrol and metal thefts reduced

Nov 13 2008 by Adrian Short, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

DRIVE-OFF thefts from petrol stations have reduced in Halton despite the credit crunch leading to a county-wide rise in acquisitive crime.

And Halton police operations to combat theft of metals such as lead flashing and copper have also reduced the number of thefts from buildings.

The claims follow publication of a report which showed that crime across the Cheshire area is generally decreasing.

DS Gary Smith, of Widnes police, said: “Acquisitive crime includes the theft of petrol. However, the thefts have been reduced since petrol prices dropped.

“This would suggest that the recent decrease in petrol prices have had a knock-on effect on the amount of thefts of fuel.

“There has also been a high profile operation carried out by Widnes Neighbourhood Policing Unit with regard to the theft of scrap metal. This has had a positive effect in the reduction of scrap metal thefts.”