Staffordshire Police has warned there has been a surge in the number of drive-offs from filling stations in its territory, with more than 160 reported since the start of March.
The crimewave has coincided with the rocketing price of fuel, and it revealed filling stations in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and South Staffordshire have been particularly badly hit.
The police service revealed the extent of the problem after a man was arrested after diesel was siphoned from an HGV in Cannock.
At 2.25am on Thursday 21 April officers received reports of a man siphoning fuel from a HGV parked at Norton Canes Services.
A 41-year-old man, of no-fixed-address, was arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.
He remains in custody while inquiries continue.
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