SIX thousand litres of diesel fuel were stolen from a garage in Shipton-under-Wychwood.

Thieves broke into an above-ground fuel tank at Station Road Garage sometime between 11pm on Saturday and 1am on Sunday.

Police said the thieves drove into a field at the back of the site and cut their way through a fence to get to the tank.

Owner David Johnson said the fuel cost almost £1 a litre.

He said: “It’s a real problem for garages and it’s difficult to see how it’s going to be resolved.

“It’s a problem that’s sweeping the country and it would appear it’s on the increase.

“It’s anywhere where there is large storage of fuel. It’s so valuable and it’s easy to get rid of or use yourself.

“This was quite well planned so as a result they didn’t bring the lights on, which come on if people walk on to the premises.”

Det Con Paddy O’Grady, from Witney CID, said: “This is a large amount of fuel that has been stolen and would have required a big vehicle to transport it and taken several hours to siphon off.”

Anyone with information should contact Det Con O’Grady on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.