A TRIO of suspected prolific petrol thieves have been arrested after they were cornered by police trying to steal more than £1,000 worth of petrol from a station.

Officers descended on the BP garage in Eastmayne, Basildon, at about 11pm on Thursday after they were carrying out an operation in the area aimed at stamping out vehicle crime.

In the back seat of a Toyota car, they found three huge bottles filled with petrol, which were strapped in with seatbelts.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of making off from a petrol station in Basildon without paying for petrol.

One of the men was also arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs and a knife, following a search.

Officers from the traffic team, the operational support group and the force control room were all involved in the operation and the arrest.

Chief inspector Justin Smith praised his officers for their teamwork.

He said: “Good nicking everyone, these people have been preying on our garages for some time.

“Another Operation Forecourt win!

“Glad I could help.”

Det Supt Kevin Baldwin, south local policing area superintendent, said: “Theft of petrol has been an ongoing problem across many police forces.

“It is something that happens reasonably regularly.

“I want to warn anybody who does this we will track down your vehicles by using automatic number plate recognition cameras.”

Since October 1, there have been 42 records of petrol theft in the Basildon district - equating to about two a day.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Three men have been arrested on suspicion making off without payment from a petrol station in Basildon.

“The trio, aged 33, 35 and 36 from Basildon, were arrested at around 11pm on Thursday, December 1 at the BP Garage in Eastmayne, Basildon, following an operation.

“The 33-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of Class A drugs and possession of a knife.

“They have all been bailed pending further enquiries until Monday, February 13 next year.”

Anyone with information can call 101.