A MINTING farmer has backed up claims that farms are being targeted for diesel since the beginning of the credit crunch.

Farmer Anne Clark, from Minting, said: "Minting Village Hall has been targeted several times in the last year and got completely wiped out of the white diesel they kept.

"They have had to cage the tanks and lock them tightly to stop it happening."

One of the biggest problems in the area has been the theft of red deisel.

Anne said: "We haven't experienced theft of red diesel as we have very good security but we know one or two other farms that have."

The fuel, which is ordinary diesel with a red dye added, costs around 60p less per litre than the price motorists pay at the pump.

Red diesel is only legal to use in machinery such as tractors when carrying out agricultural work.

Anyone caught using it in a vehicle on a public road would be breaking the law and be fined up to £500 as a first offence. A second offence can even result in a custodial sentence.

This cheaper-priced fuel helps farmers with the extensive running costs of their machinery.

A source who works for a local firm dealing with agricultural machinery and wants to remain anonymous said: "About two months ago we had problems with thieves trying to steal our red diesel. They tried to get it out of the tractors but, fortunately, we drain all our machinery of fuel when it's not in use as a security measure."

Lincolnshire Police spokesman Dick Holmes said he would urge all farmers to up their security over the coming months.

"Reported thefts of red diesel have reduced most recently because petrol prices have started to go down again. However, we realise that it goes on and take it very seriously.

"Now it's spring, farmers are likely to be holding larger amounts of fuel making them a target. Tips are to add strong locks, alarms and good lighting."