POLICE are looking to trace a silver-coloured car following a series of fuel thefts.

In the first incident fire crews were called to deal with fuel leaking from a Peugeot 206 in Beverley Road at around 3am on Sunday.

However, on further examination of the vehicle’s fuel tank, a small, drilled hole was discovered.

In the second incident, the owner of a Citroen Saxo parked in Milton Avenue, Malton, discovered a fuel leak in the tank which occurred overnight on Saturday . Again, the police were alerted after a small, drilled hole was discovered in the fuel tank.

The incidents follow similar reports in the Scarborough area last week.

PC Jane Jones of Malton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “I am appealing to anyone who saw any suspicious people or vehicles in the area. The thieves will have made a noise and will have needed another vehicle or containers to take the fuel away.

“In particular, I would like to speak to the occupants of a silver car which was seen in Milton Avenue at around 1.10am in the early hours of Sunday , June 15.

PC Jones said that anyone who could help the investigation was asked to get in touch as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, vehicle owners are asked to be vigilant and take as many preventative measures as possible. Put as many barriers in the way of a thief as possible," she added.

"f your house has a garage, please lock your car inside. Lock your drive gates if you have some. If you don’t have a garage, park in a well lit area which is publicly visible or install security lighting at your property. If the vehicle has a security alarm, make sure it’s activated.”

For more security advice please visit, www.northyorkshire.police.uk/crimeprevention.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Jane Jones or email jane.jones @northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk