Times are hard enough as it is without having to worry about thievery. But for many businesses with large vehicles, fuel theft is becoming a growing problem with vehicles being emptied of their fuel and, in some cases, even their fuel tanks. But Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Dales District Council have come up with a solution: diesel dyeing.<\/p>\n
Adding dye to fuel isn\u2019t new; many fuel types are dyed to ensure correct use in the right type of vehicle. Aviation fuel, for example, is dyed for tax reasons as well as for safety as a plane fuelled with the wrong type of gasoline could have disastrous results. Diesel is dyed different colours depending on the industry and engine type it will be used in. Adding dye to diesel isn\u2019t new, but using it to trace fuel back to its source is.<\/p>\n
Code-named \u201cOperation Dynamo\u201d, the initiative involves adding a bottle of dye to fuel stores and displaying warning signs on company vehicles using the dyed diesel. As part of the operation, Derbyshire police will be dipping fuel tanks to check for the dyed fuel, allowing them to trace back any illegally gained fuel to specific companies.<\/p>\n
David Bradley, whose firm is based in the Matlock area, said: \u201cProtecting our fuel is very important because it\u2019s our biggest expense.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a lot of security measures already in place, such as anti-siphon caps on the tanks, but having this dye is a great idea, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt acts as a deterrent to thieves and anything that does that has got to be worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n
And it seems other companies agree; since its launch last year the operation has attracted many of the big names in haulage and quarrying, including Tarmac.<\/p>\n