The number of diesel thefts from vehicles in Lower Saxony has risen by 32% this year compared to the same period last year, according to the State Criminal Police Office (LKA).

The State Criminal Police Office (LKA) of Lower Saxony has reported a significant increase in diesel thefts from vehicles and containers, with cases rising by 32% between January and September 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. The total number of incidents is currently in the upper three-digit range, according to the LKA. While the agency has not explicitly linked the rise to increasing fuel prices, similar spikes were observed in 2022 during periods of high fuel costs.

The thefts primarily target agricultural vehicles, construction machinery, and trucks parked at motorway rest stops. Several districts have reported multiple incidents in recent weeks, including nine cases in Diepholz, approximately 20 in the Hannover region, and 14 near Lüneburg. Ingo Päschel, head of the Hiller Spedition in Lüneburg, explained that thieves often break open tank caps or puncture tanks to siphon diesel using electric pumps. Despite securing tank caps with keys, Päschel noted that such measures are easily bypassed by thieves using force.

Police suspect organized groups are behind the thefts, often carrying out multiple coordinated operations. Michel Koenemann, spokesperson for the Lüneburg Police Directorate, emphasized the importance of parking vehicles in well-lit and visible areas to deter theft. The LKA has also recommended monitoring fuel levels and placing obstacles near tanks to restrict access. In one notable case, thieves managed to siphon diesel from a truck while the driver was asleep in the cabin, highlighting the silent and discreet methods employed by perpetrators. Companies like Hiller Spedition have responded by allowing drivers to park at monitored locations and reimbursing associated costs.