POLICE and farming leaders have launched a leaflet advising farmers how to stop thieves stealing fuel.
Officers say dark winter days give criminals more opportunity to steal fuel from tanks on farms.
Lothian and Borders Police Inspector John Scott said: “Quantities stolen range from 10 litres to several hundred and demonstrate a need to ensure all fuel tanks are suitably protected.
“Not only does fuel theft have a significant financial implication for the victim, it has previously resulted in damage to farmland, with fuel being left to spill after thieves have taken as much as they can.”
The leaflet suggests good places to place fuel tanks and gives information on control switches, oil gauges and security measures such as CCTV and security lighting. It is available from Borders police stations.