The fuel was removed from a tanker and was to be filled with generators to power the HMS Bulwark, a 19,560 tonne attack ship, at the HMNB Devonport in Plymouth. The thieves broke into the base and stole the diesel, which belonged to the contractor Babcock International, in September 2021. The value of the fuel exceeded .000 250,000, according to the Sun. The newspaper added that “the robbery lasted for weeks” and “most of the diesel has been flogged on the black market”, as UK motorists face record increases in fuel prices. Image: Fuel stolen from HMNB Devonport in Plymouth Civilian guards reportedly sounded the alarm after an on-site inspection of a tanker driven by a Babcock International driver as they tried to leave the base. Babcock International is now investigating the theft of its fuel with the support of the Ministry of Defense Police. A Department of Defense spokesman said: “The Department of Defense is aware of an incident last year involving the alleged theft of fuel by a contractor within HMNB Devonport. “There has been no interruption in the defense operations and the Ministry of Defense has no further comment.” A Babcock International spokesman declined to comment.
