POLICE have urged lorry drivers to "remain vigilant" after a number of incidents of fuel theft in the Basingstoke area.

Hampshire Rural Police issued the warning on Twitter after four thefts in the space of three nights on roads in the region.

They say that large quantities of diesel is being removed from lorries, who are parked up in laybys and service stations.

In two of the three incidents given to the Gazette by police, fuel was stolen from lorries parked up on the A303 in one night.

Both took place on Friday, February 21, and a total of 650 to 700 litres of fuel was allegedly taken.

The first incident came whilst the lorry was parked up in a layby on the A303 near Micheldever, whilst the second took place in a layby on the same road, just after the M3 junction.

A third incident reportedly took place on Saturday, February 15, when 300 litres of fuel was taken from an articulated lorry whilst parked in a layby on the A34 near Burghclere, between 12.30 and 5.15am.

Rural Police advised on Twitter: "Do what you can to make it more difficult."