Kyneton petrol stolen
Fuel theft is on the rise in Australia as motorists reach breaking point over the spiralling costs at the bowser.
Incidents of theft have been reported on the streets of regional Victoria and in Queensland, including brazen thieves who siphoned fuel from trucks as drivers slept at rest stops.
Kyneton petrol stolen
Cars were targeted in two streets in Kyneton in regional Victoria. (Today)

Authorities are currently investigating a series of fuel thefts that occurred in Kyneton, located in central Victoria. These incidents took place yesterday and last Friday, according to Victoria Police.

The investigation suggests that unidentified individuals tampered with the fuel cap covers of vehicles parked on Wedge and Powlett streets. The tampering reportedly happened between 5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. yesterday.

As police continue to probe these incidents, truck drivers in rural Queensland are being urged to secure their fuel tanks following reports of fuel thefts while drivers were asleep.

“With the escalating fuel prices across Australia, unfortunately, we know what tends to follow—opportunistic theft,” stated a spokesperson from Ambrose Haulage Pty Ltd in a Facebook post.

“One of our drivers experienced a close call last night in Moonie when someone attempted to access the truck,” the spokesperson added.

Petrol prices Australia
Prices are surging to nearly $3 per litre for unleaded petrol. (Today)

“One of our drivers had a very close call overnight at Moonie with someone attempting to access the truck.

“Please keep an extra eye out when you’re parked up especially overnight.”

The surging price of fuel and regional shortage has prompted calls for stricter fuel rationing across the country.

An Ampol petrol station in Neutral Bay, a favourite for motorists on Sydney's Northern Beaches, has been run dry.
The price of fuel and regional shortage has prompted calls for stricter fuel rationing as stock is depleted. (Supplied)

One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce said now was the time to ramp up conservation efforts as our existing stock is depleted.

“We should be going towards rationing,” Joyce said.

“The problem is taking its second iteration, because you’ve got to remember, the oil we were using at the start of the crisis had already been extracted from the Middle East.

“So we weren’t having to contend with the closure of the Strait of Hormoz. It’s actually going to become more difficult.”

Current petrol supplies are expected to run dry at the end of April.

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