[ad_1]
More than 250,000 pounds worth of fuel has been stolen from a British Navy warship ‘under the nose’ of defense chiefs, local media revealed today.
A gang of thieves left the port with the tankers that were to supply the Bulwark for several weeks in the port of Plymouth, in what appears to be one of the biggest fuel robberies in Britain.
They managed to leave despite the large security presence at the naval base but were caught as guards began to suspect and stopped one of the tankers that was leaving the plant.
It is believed that most of the fuel was sold on the black market before the robbery scheme was discovered.
The fuel was to supply the generators of the HMS Bulwark warship, the 19,560 tonne attack vehicle carrying 325 sailors and up to 405 troops.
A source told the local daily The Sun: “The fuel was supposed to supply the ship while it was carrying out a maintenance operation.”
“It was kind of like generating electricity for a small town because the Bulwark generator is giant.
“Of course the navy is very angry even though none of its crew is involved.”
Devonport is also the base where British nuclear submarines carry out their resupplies. The base covers about 60 acres and has 15 boat moles, four miles of sea lane and five water basins.
While HMS Bulwark is one of two British amphibious landing warships, along with HMS Albion.
“The theft of naval fuel is not only criminal but damages our military resources in the national arena,” said Luke Pollard, a British MP.
Officials added that the incident did not cause unrest in military operations.
The development comes as Britain has also been hit by huge increases in fuel prices since before the crisis in Ukraine.
top channel
[ad_2]
Source link
