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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Esso pipeline closed as police investigate fuel theft | Esso pipeline closed as police investigate fuel theft |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| One of the UK's main underground pipelines has been shut after 30,000 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 released on bail on Monday. | |
| Esso's oil refinery is in Fawley near Southampton. | Esso's oil refinery is in Fawley near Southampton. |
| The two men were bailed until 10 July, pending further inquiries. | |
| In a statement, Esso said specialists are checking whether any repairs are needed. | |
| "We will not resume operations of the pipeline until this work is complete," it said. | |
| 'Early stages' | |
| The Midline Pipeline runs from the refinery to Esso's terminal in Birmingham. | 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. | 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." |
| The Midline pipeline was built in the 1980s and runs underground, carrying fuel through Wiltshire to the Midlands, including Birmingham International Airport. | |
| Officials from the Environment Agency and health and safety experts have attended the scene to ensure the safety of the area. |