Police around the country have wasted tens of thousands of pounds of the taxpayers’ money by filling their patrol cars with the wrong fuel.
A Freedom of Information request has shown that officers from Thames Valley Police alone have misfuelled cars in each of the past seven years, resulting in a massive £17,352 bill.
This year alone, the force has had to shell out more than £700 to repair the engines of vehicles that have been filled up with the wrong fuel, which has happened 13 times since this January.
Last year, the force experienced 19 petrol pump gaffes which resulted in a bill for £1,201, while 21 incidents during 2013 cost Thames Valley police £1,631.
Similar information unveiled earlier this year showed that Thames Valley aren’t the only police force putting petrol in a diesel engine, with Avon and Somerset Police having the same problem.
The constabulary had to pay out £5,052 in the past two years after 29 incidents of misfuelling, which resulted in expensive engine repair work being needed.
However, Avon and Somerset Police spokesman Wayne Baker said: “These are isolated incidents and an extremely small percentage compared with the number of incidents which happen nationally each year.”
He also pointed out that around 150,000 motorists in the UK put the wrong fuel in their vehicles, according to figures provided by motoring organisation the AA.
“Most of our fleet of vehicles are now diesel but there are unleaded vehicles and very occasionally mistakes can occur,” he added.
“All new vehicles introduced have stickers advising the fuel that needs to be used in that particular vehicle.”
If you’ve put the wrong fuel in your vehicle and aren’t sure what to do about it, check out our handy FAQ guide to misfuelling.
