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Fuel Thieves caught in the act at Blackhills Quarry

Leiths 

At the back end of last year the team at Blackhills Quarry had suspicions that fuel was going missing from their bulk tank. Unsure if it was legitimate filling of fuel bowsers during weekend working, Bert Archibald, our Area Quarry Manager, started monitoring the fuel meter readings and offsetting this with actual use. It became clear that indeed there were irregularities and unauthorised fuel was being taken outwith working hours.

Determined to catch the perpetrators, a covert camera was set up to record any activities at the fuel tank filling point. Any movement in the area triggered the camera to start recording and send an email alert to inform us of the activation. We could see live footage on our laptops and smart phones.

In late February, Bert's phone alerted him at 10.20pm that something had triggered the camera. Not suspecting foul play during the week Bert checked the footage on his phone and could clearly see the floodlight had been knocked out and that a vehicle was onsite. Having previously briefed the Police of his concerns, Bert took no chances and called them immediately.

Bert was amazed when, arriving at the quarry some 15 minutes later, he found a squad of police cars, vans and dogs already onsite. The quarry was surrounded as the thieves attempted to make a break for it. Having to ditch their vehicle, the thieves took off on foot only to be met by ferocious German Shepherd dogs which stopped them in their tracks and reduced them to trembling wrecks. 

A great result for us. However, it is a stark reminder that criminals are still very active and will stop at nothing to steal anything of value from our sites.