MOTORISTS who drive off from the Bolton West motorway service area without paying for their petrol are being targeted in a new police campaign.

Motorway officers are so concerned about the number of 'drive-off' thefts at the services near Horwich on the M61 that they have appointed a full time detective to deal with the problem.

High profile uniform police patrols are also set to be increased at the services in a bid to catch thieves in action and deter would-be criminals at the petrol pumps.

Last year there were 88 drive-off fuel thefts from just three service areas in a short stretch of motorway -- Bolton West on the M61, and Charnock Richard and Forton on the M6.

Lancashire constabulary are the first force in the country to appoint a full time officer to deal with the drive-off problem.

Det Con Maurizio Legname is leading the fight against the fuel thieves.

He said: "I believe these figures are just the tip of the iceberg and that a lot of drive-offs are simply unreported, dealt with as a civil matter or just written off."

He added: "It may seem to some people that drive-offs are relatively minor offences, but they are increasing and each one can be both time consuming and costly for the police to deal with."

A Crime reduction strategy is being developed at the service areas and plans being considered include CCTV cameras, warning signs and cones, barriers and speed humps to slow down traffic as it leaves the forecourt.

Drive-off crime now accounts for losses of £20 million a year, according to oil industry figures.

Anyone with information about crime at Bolton West motorway service area should call DC Legname on 01772 410441 or Crimestoppers on free phone0800 555 111.