The £250,000 theft of diesel fuel under the nose of the Royal Navy is one of the most daring heists. How it was done has confused the part of the authorities how that much fuel got stolen. So far, this is the most record-breaking crime in the navy that wants to get to the bottom.
Fuel Heist in the Royal Navy
Diesel fuel that should have been used for the HMS Bulwark was siphoned off in the HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, reported the Express UK.
The heist was discovered when the guards in Devonport found suspicious movements going on during a surprise check on a tanker driver in the process of leaving the port.
The stolen petroleum was supposed to feed the generators of the 19,560-tonne assault ship HMS Bulwark, which carries 325 sailors and up to 405 troops. The stolen diesel fuel can be used for cars as well.
A source close to the Royal Navy said the culprits would have needed a significant container for the stolen diesel. Fuel was meant to power a refit for the warship that needed it.
The amount of stolen fuel was enough to be used for powering a small town, considering the size of the Bulwark is a big ship with a large generator.
If the sentry did not notice the unusual activity in the port and stopped the truck, which led to the discovery of the theft, noted BBC.
Reports that the navy is mad about the £250,000 theft of diesel fuel, but no one connected to the military organization is identified yet noted by the Royal Navy.
Ministry of Defense Operations Not Affected
According to the source that spoke to The Sun UK, the Bulwark is a vital part of Britain's defense, saying it was a travesty that the theft was allowed.
MP Luke Pollard for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said the criminals stole the fuel when needed most for the armed forces. The loss of fuel is critical as an oil crisis strikes the UK and Europe.
Former Commander of the Amphibious Task Group, Rear Admiral Dr. Chris Parry, said that the fuel would be needed in the Black Sea that surrounds Ukraine.
Another Navy officer, former Frigate Captain Tom Sharpe, remarked that smuggling does happen for sea-borne commercial vessels. However, this was the first time that it had happened.
The Ministry of Defense spokesman said they are aware of the theft from a contractor in the HMNB Devonport. Furthermore, the heist will have no adverse effect on the Ministry of Defense or its operation and not provide more comments.
Another Incident of Fuel Theft
Thousands of liters of petrol were looted from a haulage depot in Murray Hogg, Newcastle, last March 10th. According to company Director David Hogg, the 15,000 liters of diesel is worth almost £24,000, whose claims at the time that oil costs were troublesome for the company.
Hogg added that it is just a matter of knocking on the door and taking it. The theft was only discovered when a guard saw a hose from a fuel tank while doing the rounds in the facility. He tried to visualize a person with several fuel cans using a garden hose. The recent fuel heist in the Royal Navy raises concern, especially now, when every drop counts due to the oil crisis.
