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Esso pipeline closed as police investigate fuel theft | Esso pipeline closed as police investigate fuel theft |
(about 3 hours later) | |
One of the UK's main underground pipelines has been shut after thousands of litres of diesel was stolen. | |
The fuel was discovered by police in an industrial storage unit at West Wellow, Romsey, and it is believed to have been stolen from Esso's Midline Pipeline. | |
Two men, aged 32 and 34, both from Salisbury were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal fuel on Sunday and then released on bail on Monday. | Two men, aged 32 and 34, both from Salisbury were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal fuel on Sunday and then released on bail on Monday. |
Esso's oil refinery is in Fawley near Southampton. | Esso's oil refinery is in Fawley near Southampton. |
In a statement, Esso said the pipeline has been closed down and specialists were checking whether any repairs are needed. | In a statement, Esso said the pipeline has been closed down and specialists were checking whether any repairs are needed. |
The Midline Pipeline runs from the refinery to Esso's terminal in Birmingham. | |
The fuel was discovered by the unit's owner at about 19:30 BST on Thursday. | The fuel was discovered by the unit's owner at about 19:30 BST on Thursday. |
A statement from Hampshire Police said: "The exact quantity and circumstances surrounding the accumulation of fuel are central to the investigation, and detectives are focussing on identifying those responsible. | |
"The fuel is stored safely and securely and is being retrieved by engineers from the nearby Esso refinery. | "The fuel is stored safely and securely and is being retrieved by engineers from the nearby Esso refinery. |
"The investigation [is] still in its early stages." | "The investigation [is] still in its early stages." |