Fuel theft robs staff wages

A REGION-wide trend of fuel thefts and machinery damage is robbing workers of their wages, according to Manjimup police.

Police are calling on the community to help with information on the issue with big quantities of fuel being stolen from transport companies throughout the South West.

Manjimup police officer-in-charge Sgt Harry Arnott said amounts of diesel up to 500 litres were being stolen at a time and thieves were causing damage to machinery.

“Operators can’t afford it because the work they do they get paid for, so if they can’t work, they don’t get paid because the machine’s out for a day,” he said.

“We want information, people know who is doing this.

“By turning a blind eye to it, people are saying what they’re doing is OK.

“We need to catch these offenders, because they’re taking food off people’s plates and it’s unacceptable behaviour.”

Police are also concerned about the unusual hoon driving behaviour and the danger it is causing other road users.

Sgt Arnott said it was only a matter of time before someone lost control and someone was hurt, whether it be another vehicle or an innocent passer-by.

“We will respond to these incidents every time they occur and we want to know about it,” he said.

“I don’t want to have to knock on someone’s door and tell their mum and dad that their son or daughter’s not coming home.

“We need to stamp out this kind of behaviour and everyone in the community can expect an increased, comprehensive focus on traffic.”

Sgt Arnott said the increased traffic focus would continue.

“Unfortunately some relatively innocent people will be knocked off for seemingly minor offences and when it happens, don't blame the police, blame the idiots driving those cars,” he said.

Police are also looking for information in relation to the theft of two firearms, including a 12-gauge shotgun at a secured Perup Road property.

Sgt Arnott said police had reports of suspicious cars in the area.