Thieves targeted her vehicle parked outside her house

A Chiswick woman has warned people to watch out for suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhood following her shock discovery that someone stolen the petrol from her car.

The retired teacher, who lives in Grove Park said that her Volkswagon Golf car was parked in the street outside her house last Thursday night . When she went to drive it the following morning, it wouldn't start and she thought the battery was dead.

"I got out of the car to go into the house to tell my husband and then I smelled petrol which had spilled on the ground around the car. I still didn't realise what was wrong until it was taken to the garage and the mechanic said the pipes under the car that carry the petrol had been cut and the petrol siphoned off. I knew I had about three-quarters of a tank full but I cannot imagine why anyone would do this."

She said it cost her over £200 to have the car repaired and she was not sure if insurance would cover it.

Police have carried out door-to-door enquiries in the area following the incident, which is regarded as being very unusual for Chiswick. They have asked residents in the area to report any suspicious behaviour they might recall by dialling 101.

October 2, 2014