Truckie boss says ‘people are getting desperate’ as siphoned diesel seen as sign of ‘dire’ crisis

Madilyn Lostroh realised her company, Mal's Haulage, was targeted after one of her drivers reported his fuel tank had been partially emptied. Photograph: Madilyn Lostroh

After almost a decade in the trucking industry, Madilyn Lostroh says having fuel stolen from one of her vehicles for the first time came as a “bit of a shock”.

A couple of weeks ago, one of her drivers filled up with diesel in the afternoon and parked the truck in the yard they share with other businesses. The next morning, he discovered there was less in the tank.