PRESTON, England, June 28 (UPI) -- The rising cost of oil in Britain has produced a rash of thefts of diesel fuel, victims say.
Eddie Cowpe said unidentified individuals came to his business in Lancashire County and stole fuel directly from his diesel tank, a theft that cost him nearly $140,000 in fuel and clean-up costs, The Guardian reported Saturday.
"I said two years ago that this country was going to see serious civil unrest and riots because of food and fuel shortages," Cowpe said. "It's going to come true. It's a frightening scenario."
Richard Dodd, a farmer in Northumberland County, said such crimes are indicative of a new trend of fuel thefts that directly target British farmers as oil prices reach $142 a barrel.
"It has become worthwhile for criminals to target farmers' diesel tanks," he said. "There are rich pickings to be had."
The growing thefts appear to have already claimed one life after Rosemary Dove collapsed and died during an alleged fuel theft at her husband's farm, the British newspaper reported.
