THIEVES who fill up and drive off from service stations in the Ribble Valley are being targeted as part of a new police operation.

Detectives have joined forces with The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) and retailers to introduce Forecourt Watch at every service station across the borough.

This comes after people were warned to be on their guard after a spate of diesel and heating oil thefts in the area following a leap in prices.

Thousands of pounds worth of fuel was stolen during a number of thefts earlier this year with raiders siphoning off 3,000 litres from an oil tank in the grounds of St Leonard’s Primary School, Langho, worth £2,300.

Meanwhile, more than £14,200 worth of diesel was stolen from the Five Barred Gate Service Station, Spring Lane, Samlesbury and around 250 gallons of red tractor diesel worth £650 was stolen from a tank on the grounds of the Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Whalley Road, Langho.

Neighbourhood officer PCSO Manda Gibson said: “The theft of fuel has a significant impact on consumers, retailers and the police.

“Forecourt Watch will lead to positive changes in the way the police manage forecourt crime by reducing fuel theft, increasing convictions and keeping forecourts as safe as possible for both staff and customers.”

Last year there were 791 fraud offences involving fuel, which includes drive-offs as well as siphoning petrol from tanks, in the area.

BOSS regional co-ordinator John Turtle said: “Drive-off incidents cost the UK oil industry approximately £14 million in 2009.

"Our aim is to maintain fuel stations as a safe environment for customers and staff, targeting those people who drive off without paying for their fuel and use service stations as a route to commit more serious crimes.”

High visibility stickers and posters will be put up in the forecourts of petrol stations and information will also be shared about known criminals.