TWO men from Salisbury have been arrested as part of an investigation into fuel thefts from one of the country’s main oil pipelines.
The men, aged 32 and 34, were arrested in Salisbury on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to steal fuel from Esso. They were released on police bail this morning, pending further inquires.
It is believed that about 30,000 litres of diesel were siphoned from a pipeline running from Esso’s Fawley Refinery to the West Midlands.
An investigation was launched after a large amount of diesel was found at an industrial storage unit on Woodington Road in West Wellow.
A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: “Police launched an investigation after a large quantity of diesel was found in an industrial storage unit at West Wellow.
“Lines of inquiry include establishing the exact amount of fuel stolen and examining the suspected sophisticated method used in this alleged theft.”
The discovery was made by the unit's owner at about7.30pm on Thursday. The exact quantity and circumstances surrounding the accumulation of fuel are as yet unclear.
The fuel is being stored and will be retrieved by engineers from a nearby Esso refinery.
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