Motorists in East Devon are being warned about a spate of fuel thefts from vehicles.

Since the beginning of April, there has been an increase in thefts, including nine in Sidmouth and Sidbury, and three in Honiton and Gittisham.

Thieves have targeted cars parked on the roadside and in car parks. In each case, they drilled a hole in the fuel tank to syphon out its contents.

Sergeant Roy Hutter urged motorists to park as publicly as possible.

He said: “There is also concern fuel is leaking onto the roads and parking spaces during the extraction process, causing the surface of the ground to become slippery and therefore presenting a hazard to pedestrians and cyclists as well as a skidding risk to motor vehicles.

“Due to petrol being a highly flammable substance, we are also concerned about the fire hazard this crime could pose.”

Witnesses, or anyone with any information, can contact police on 101 or by emailing 101@dc.police.uk quoting crime reference CR/033798/20.