FRUGAL thieves who fill their cars with petrol and drive off without paying are being targeted by police.
Police in Accrington are teaming up with the AA to tackle the problem after 13 incidents were recorded in the borough last month.
Yesterday (Thursday) they were at the Spar petrol station on Burnley Road, Accrington, offering tamper-proof screws to motorists.
Last month there were six incidents of petrol theft at the Burnley Road Spar alone.
Community beat manager, PC Martin Midgley, said: "By catching the people who commit this type of offence we are helping to reduce crime, which not only benefits the petrol stations but the wider community.
"Criminals can no longer get a free ride at the expense of others.
"Offenders are making off with between £40 and £50 a time and we suspect they are using stolen number plates to hide the identity of their cars on the forecourt."
He urged anyone with information to contact police on 0845 125 3545 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
