'Fuel thieves' held in flood area

THREE MORE alleged fuel thieves have been arrested in the flood-stricken Somerset Levels.

Police stopped the trio at 4am today near the flooded village Muchelney and found drums and an electric pump in their 4x4.

The men, aged 51, 35 and 24, are now being held at Yeovil police station.

This follows the theft of 600 gallons of domestic heating oil from a farm in Moorland overnight last Friday.

Two fire service quad bikes were also taken from Burrowbridge on the same night.

Avon and Somerset Police said: "We arrested three men overnight on suspicion of going equipped to steal fuel on the Somerset Levels.

"Officers stopped their 4x4 vehicle, containing large drums and an electric pump, at 4am in Kingsdown, just to the east of the flooded village of Muchelney."

By Margaret Davis, Press Association