A Reader who works as a professional driver called us and told us that drivers are regularly robbed of fuel in parking areas in the industrial zone in Gromadka. He himself fell victim to thieves several months ago, when they siphoned approximately 200 litres from his tank. Recently, his colleague was robbed of around one hundred litres.

What is more, when his colleague’s case was reported and a police patrol arrived at the scene, the officers reportedly received another report while carrying out their duties—also concerning fuel theft.

The person who reported the matter summed it up as follows: – There aren’t that many parking areas to begin with, and on top of that, it’s simply scary to stop anywhere.

He added: – I could understand it if we were parked somewhere out in the bushes or something. But these are parking areas that are sometimes paid and monitored. And incidents like this still happen.

We asked the police about the case. Senior Aspirant Anna Kublik-Rościszewska, press officer of the Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters:

The proximity of the border and the large number of businesses in the economic zones mean that there is increased heavy-vehicle traffic in Bolesławiec County.

Some drivers fill their vehicles completely before leaving Poland or after entering Poland and take a long break, which truck drivers are required to take in accordance with their working hours.

Breaks often take place at night. Along the motorways in Bolesławiec County, there are several places where truck drivers park. Most are unlit areas located close to woodland, giving criminals easy access to places where many trucks are parked.

Moreover, conversations with drivers show that when parking spaces are unavailable and their working time is running out, they use various locations, often unpaved roads.

The spokeswoman adds:

From one truck, the perpetrators can siphon several hundred litres of diesel fuel in a very short time. Reports are most often made in the morning, several hours after the incident, when drivers want to set off on their journey and realise that there is no fuel in the tank.

In September 2024, we recorded 13 criminal offences in which drivers reported the theft of diesel fuel from vehicle tanks. The incidents occurred in various parts of the county.

She further explains:

The latest arrests of fuel thieves concern incidents that took place in September. As a result of intensive operational activities, officers from the Criminal Division of the Bolesławiec unit arrested in mid-September a 21-year-old from Zgorzelec County; the man was charged with a total of 36 offences, most of them concerning fuel theft. Several days later, Bolesławiec police officers arrested a second fuel thief. The 43-year-old is also a resident of Zgorzelec County and had repeatedly travelled to our county to commit offences. The older man was charged with 22 offences; naturally, several of these concerned breaking into tanks and stealing fuel. The suspects are also responsible for several offences committed together. They acted under cover of darkness every time.

She also assures readers: – Operational activities are being carried out in MOP service areas and places where trucks park. In addition, these locations are checked by marked patrols.

What do the officers recommend?

You should:

  • choose proven, well-lit places for stops, preferably guarded ones;
  • refuel immediately before setting out on the road, after a stop;
  • do not provide information while refuelling about your route or stopping place;
  • remain especially vigilant during the so-called break;
  • watch out for strangers showing interest in the truck and inform the police of any suspicions (tel. 112).