Community Club Hit by Theft as Fuel Crime Rises

A local club has been left feeling devastated following fuel and battery thefts from its bulldozer, but the group said it is part of a growing problem in rural forests.

The Tarawera Trail Bike Club, a small group of volunteers, head into the forest each weekend to maintain and build tracks for trail bike riders to enjoy.

The club relies on its bulldozer to build and maintain tracks, with Vice President Steve Mcilroy saying it does about 90 percent of the work.

"We're lost without it, we couldn't do what we do without it."

The bulldozer is a vital part of maintaining tracks that bring riders into the district.

“Anywhere from 150 to 400 riders on a day come to our rides, and they bring a lot of money into the district."

Over the weekend, the bulldozer was targeted, with offenders cutting locks to steal 80 litres of fuel, and dismantling parts of the machine to steal two large batteries.  

"To get the batteries out, they've actually had to unbolt a big panel on the back of the machine and then take big batteries.

"The batteries probably weigh upwards of 40 kilos each."

The damage to the vehiclesl is expected to be more than $1,000, on top of the stolen fuel.

"They've used a cordless grinder, they've cut the locks, they've cut the battery stays that hold the batteries in.

"They're very well prepared."

Mcilroy said the club, already operating on limited funds, is now left to pick up the cost.

A police report has been filed and an insurance claim lodged.

Theft has been an issue for others in the Tarawera and Matahina forests, Mcilroy said forestry contractors are also being hit.

“A lot of these poor forestry contractors, who are already feeling an awful lot of pain at the pump at the moment, have had diesel stolen, batteries stolen, vehicles interfered with, machinery interfered with and it’s all senseless stuff.”

One nearby contractor has been targeted three times in recent weeks. 

Efforts to deter theives by installing locks on fuel caps and bolted down battery components have only resulted in further damage.

The damage to machinery makes it more difficult than “just putting in some batteries and a bit more fuel,” he said.

For the club, moving the bulldozer each time it is used is unrealistic, so security cameras will be installed to catch any future potential theft. 

The group is also urging the public to report suspicious behaviour.

Local police said there has been an increase in suspicious behaviour around petrol stations and in rural areas at night as fuel prices rise.

Senior Sergeant Cam MacKinnon said police have seen more people driving around late at night, potentially looking to steal fuel.

“We’ve seen a bit of an increase in vehicles seemingly doing nothing untoward, but strangely having a number of fuel cans on their back decks and a lot of hoses and siphon-type equipment.”

“We’ll be watching and monitoring that closely. The message for the public is — if you’re out trying to steal fuel at night, police are out looking for you at the same time.”

Acting Sergeant Dave DeLangen said police will be patrolling rural areas, but rural communities must stay vigilant.

“Have locks on your outlets and your inlets, and cameras if you’ve got them and report any suspicious behaviour.”

Anyone who spots suspicious activity is asked to call 111 if it is happening at the time, or 105 afterwards so police can follow up.

Police have made multiple arrests nationally related to fuel theft, but none have been reported so far in the Bay of Plenty. 

Police and FMG advise rural comunities and businesses to do the following to prevent fuel theft:

• Park vehicles with fuel caps close to the wall or another vehicle to restrict access to fuel tanks.

• Try to keep fuel out of sight, and ensure fuel tanks are secured and locked. 

• Install security lighting that lights up fuel tanks and fuelling areas.

• Keep an inventory of fuel consumption so any thefts can be identified quickly.

• Install fuel tank locking devices on all petrol and diesel tanks on your property.