GANGS of a petrol thieves are using stolen fuel to make cross-Channel smuggling trips.

Petrol thieves are driving into garages, filling up and driving off without paying, then using their haul to take them to Dover and France to smuggle alcohol and cigarettes for sale on the black market back in the region.

The crooks are costing petrol stations about £6,000 a month in Cleveland alone.

Police there have issued a rogues gallery of pictures of suspects captured on security cameras at the garages where most thefts have occurred.

The posters of shame are going up at petrol stations across the area, asking for the public's help in catching them.

Cleveland Police says there has been a marked increase in petrol thefts, fuelled by increasing petrol and diesel costs.

There were 77 "make-offs" from petrol stations in the area last May, compared with 35 two years ago.

Favourite targets of modern highway robbers are service stations next to dual carriageways, offering quick escapes.

Sergeant Dave Shadforth said: "We're anxious to recruit the majority of law-abiding drivers to catch these thieves.

"They are usually a small minority of people who are criminals already, and sometimes use the stolen fuel to get their vans across to the continent on the booze runs."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on (01642) 326326 or Crime Stoppers (01740) 644875.