While no major increase in petrol drive-offs has been reported despite rising fuel costs, diesel theft from commercial and private properties remains an issue.

Whakatāne police Senior Sergeant Cam MacKinnon said most service stations had introduced measures to help reduce thefts such as prepay or capping the amount of petrol available.

However, diesel theft remained an issue.

“To members of the public who are out there looking to steal diesel, police are out looking for you … vehicles found in strange places in the middle of the night with large amounts of empty fuel cans will be looked at robustly.

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

Police said they would continue to monitor suspicious activity closely.

“If you’re out there trying to steal fuel at night, police are out looking for you at the same time.”