Staffordshire Police have issued a warning to petrol stations, and are appealing for witnesses, after three reported burglaries in the Uttoxeter area.

The incidents all happened on Thursday 21 May around lunchtime (between 11am and 1.15pm) when two men entered the Shell petrol station in New Road, the Esso petrol station in Bypass Road and the BP garage, also Bypass Road near the A50.

The men entered the petrol stations and while one offender asked for directions the second offender attempted to access private areas of the shop. Fortunately, the intruder was disturbed at the Shell and Esso sites and nothing was taken. However, an amount of cash was stolen from the BP garage.

The men are described as black, one was tall and wore a black leather cap, a black zip-up jacket and grey jogging bottoms. It’s believed they were using a dark-coloured Saab and they made off towards Stoke-on-Trent on the A50.

An investigation into the crimes is under way.

Staffordshire Police are asking anyone who saw the men at a petrol station while they were filling up, or who works in a petrol station and has experienced any suspicious incidents, to contact them on 101, quoting incident number 334 of May 21.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or through its Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.