A GANG of thieves stealing hundreds of gallons of diesel is walking away with huge profits, police have warned.

They are urging residents to come forward with any information which may help them track down the determined thieves.

Diesel has been stolen from parked lorries, coaches and tanks at local fuel suppliers across the district in the last month.

More than 200 gallons of fuel was taken in one swoop, and the gang have targeted vehicles parked up at the side of the road, in car parks and at depots.

Community Safety Sergeant Cliff Edens said officers needed information to help track down the thieves. "We think a group of up to four people are involved in this spate of thefts, which is continuing across the district, he said. "Someone is making a lot of money out of this stolen fuel and we want to stop this crime as soon as possible, but we need help and information."

The police have had one lead from an anonymous witness who reported seeing a

suspicious vehicle in the West Cliff car park at Whitby late evening on Monday, March 3.

Sgt Edens said: "The man rang in to leave a message saying he'd spotted a vehicle driving very slowly close to parked coaches at about 10pm. It returned to the car park ten minutes later without its lights on and stopped close to a coach. The following morning the witness says he spotted fuel marks on the tarmac next to the coach."

Police believe is likely this incident is linked to the thefts in Ryedale and have appealed for the anonymous witness to get back in touch. Anyone with information is asked to phone the Ryedale Witness Line on 01723 509662.

Updated: 08:33 Wednesday, March 26, 2003