13/05/2003

Customs cracks down on illegal fuel use

In a weekend of activity in the North East Scotland, Customs were again working closely with Grampian Police to detect illegal fuel use.

Two private cars and one commercial vehicle were seized during the operation.

A private car and a commercial vehicle were seized in the Turriff area on the A947 and another private car was seized in Inverurie on the A96 again for illegal use of red diesel. The three vehicles were released on payment of penalties totalling £1400.

Over the past three months Customs have made a total of over 1600 tests for illegal fuel at road stops spread over both Grampian and Highland Regions. Eighty-three of these tests were positive for illegal fuel with the vehicles being released on payment of £19,900.

Customs are getting the message about seizures and related penalties for running vehicles on illegal fuel across to the public, as we are getting more and more comments from drivers of "its just not worth taking the risk and losing my car".

Customs' Head of Detection in Scotland Dave Clark said: "The success of this and previous operations in both detections and increased awareness, highlights the benefits of multi-agency working with Grampian Police and Northern Constabulary, and supports Customs' ongoing crackdown on the sale and use of illegal fuel in all parts of Scotland.

"One major objective in this operation was to increase the awareness of the public and businesses in the North East of Scotland of the consequences of illegal fuel misuse.

"Illegal fuel - whether used commercially or privately - undermines honest filling stations, deprives public services of cash and damages vehicle engines, while cigarette smuggling is putting local shops out of business.

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 November 2012
MPs To Vote On Fuel Rise Delay
MPs will vote on Monday evening on plans to increase fuel duty by 3 pence a litre in January. Labour have said "it would be wrong" to bring the new rise in s soon an want it delayed until at least April. Conservative MPs concerned about the cost of petrol said they believed Chancellor George Osborne was "in listening mode" over the issue.
19 March 2008
Countdown For Fuel Payments For Pensioners
Over 60s who haven't yet claimed the Winter Fuel Payment have just days to get in touch with The Pension Service to receive help with energy costs. Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien urged older people to get their claim forms in the post before 28 March. The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for the over 60s rising to £300 for the over 80s.
07 September 2005
Fuel protests threatened
Protestors have threatened to begin blockading refineries next week, if the tax on fuel is not reduced. Andrew Spence, a spokesperson for the Fuel Lobby, warned that the blockades would begin at 6am on September 14, unless price cuts were made.
24 June 2005
British Airways announces ticket price rises
British Airways (BA) has announced an increase in fuel surcharge on ticket prices, due to increasing oil price rises. The longhaul fuel surcharge will increase to £48 per return trip, while the surcharge for shorthaul flights will rise to £16 for a return trip, for all tickets purchased from June 27.
21 May 2015
Lancaster Uni Students Hospitalised After Taking 'Spice' Drug
Five students at Lancaster University are in hospital after taking Spice, a synthetic cannabis substitute. Two of the students are said to be in a critical condition. According to SCAN, Lancaster University's student paper, ambulances were called to student halls between 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday, 20 May.