FUEL thieves are targeting homes, businesses and vehicles across Hull and the East Riding.
Tens of thousands of pounds of fuel has been stolen in recent months, including elderly residents' heating oil.
Humberside Police said criminals are turning to stealing fuel because of rising costs.
PCSO Sarah Freer, of Beverley Neighbourhood Policing team, said: "With fuel at an all-time high, fuel siphoning has now overtaken some other crimes as fuel siphoning is seen as more lucrative.
"Some of the recent home- owners who have had all their heating oil siphoned were elderly. They were left in Arctic conditions with no heating until more oil was delivered.
"In one case, the victim was in her 80s and lost almost £600 worth of heating oil, which would have seen her through the whole of the winter."
Police said there have been 22 thefts from companies and homes between January and April.
In the biggest case, 4,000 litres of red diesel was stolen from a farm house in Paull, along with several expensive power tools and 14 packs of laminate flooring.
PCSO Freer said: "The offenders often think this is a victimless crime, as they are siphoning fuel from companies, but what they do not realise is this has a significant impact on the person and the customer, at the end of the line.
"The business is left with damaged vehicles, increase in insurance premiums and financial implications refuelling and repairing the vehicles and the relationship with their customers, who did not receive their items on time, as a result of the fuel siphoning.
"I am urging anyone who uses oil to heat their homes, who stores fuel and diesel for their businesses or leaves their car unattended overnight with a full tank of fuel to take note of this issue."
