Officers from Herefordshire Constabulary have announced that 12 people, 11 of whom are from the same two families, have been charged in connection with a series of 600 fuel thefts in the region.
Michael, Brian, Thomas, Francis and John Nevin, together with William, Shane, Michael, Sean, Patrick (aged 25) and Patrick (aged 19) McDonagh, and Martin Ward, have all been charged with fraud by false representation.
Of the dozen men charged, 11 gave their addresses as being on Three Cherry Trees Lane in Hemel Hempstead. Back in July, local MP David Taylor said 14 arrests had been made in the area and stolen vehicles recovered, adding that he has been working “over the past year to keep issues in the Three Cherry Trees area under constant review.”
Hertfordshire Constabulary says hundreds of reports were made by fuel retailers in the county, as well as Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, in 2025, with operators telling police that drivers would fill their vehicles and claim to be unable to pay before allegedly providing false details and promising to return.
Retailers reported that in some instances the suspects are alleged to have drawn fuel and driven off without entering the shop, while also using hidden tanks to maximise the amount of fuel taken.
The incidents took place at petrol stations in four Hertfordshire locations: Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Watford, Herts; as well as Bedford, Dunstable and Luton, in Bedfordshire.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Aherne comments: “Fuel theft is a serious crime that has a detrimental effect on local businesses and the wider economy. We are working with local retailers and will continue to take the strongest action against those involved in these types of offences.
“We rely on information from retailers and the public to help us combat these types of crimes. If you have any information that can assist our investigations please get in touch, especially if you have dash cam footage of offences taking place.”
