Police sound red alert over diesel thieves after two men arrested in Northampton

Police are appealing for victims of red diesel thieves to come forward after arresting two men men in Northampton in the early hours of Monday morning.

Officers stopped a grey VW Sharan in the Kettering Road area between 3am and 3.50am on May 17, and found a number of cannisters, believed to be storing red diesel.

The occupants — a 33-year-old man and a 26-year-old man both from Northampton — were arrested on suspicion of theft and have since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Red diesel is fuel used in off-road vehicles and machinery in many industries, most prominently construction and farming.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: "As part of their ongoing investigations, our officers would like to speak to anyone who believes they may have been the victim of such a theft.

"Anyone who has yet to come forward to report any such thefts, we would ask them to do so now by calling 101, quoting reference number 21000270133, or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."