Northumbria Police is to launch an operation to combat the theft of petrol from filling stations, known as bilking.

It follows an increase in the number of offences in the Gateshead, Newcastle and Washington areas.

Gateshead Police are targeting vehicles and known suspects, as well as monitoring petrol stations, while garages are asked to work together in a Pubwatch-style project. The Forecourt Scheme would see information about offenders passed among garages.