Dave Letele has already seen locals siphoning fuel from cars. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY
A community activist has warned that a “wave of crime is coming” if Kiwis don’t receive support amid soaring fuel prices.
Retired professional boxer and activist Dave Letele says a man was trying to siphon petrol outside of his gym.
Letele told Ryan Bridge TODAY that about 6.50am yesterday, anolder man with a jerrycan was “walking in between all the cars, obviously trying to get in”.
Another lady was looking for cigarette butts on the ground, he said.
Increasing fuel costs and inflation will push people already doing it tough over the edge, Letele said.
“These people are going to be trying to siphon petrol to then sell it. So it’s an absolute disgrace.”
He called on the Government to provide support to people who are struggling.
“Otherwise, we’re going to create more and more need that we’re never going to recover from. There is more of this wave of crime coming, I’m telling you right now.”
Community activist and former boxer David Letele. Photo / Getty Images
It comes after a heating and ventilation worker said diesel had been siphoned out of his work truck on the weekend, as reported by Stuff.
The man was shocked to discover yesterday that his entire tank of diesel had been siphoned out.
The police said they don’t keep specific data on this particular issue and “it would be too soon to observe any kind of trends”.
Fuel prices have continued to soar across the country as the Middle East conflict entered its third week.
The average price of unleaded 91 petrol in New Zealand passed $3 a litre yesterday for the first time since June 2022, according to fuel tracking app Gaspy – an increase from the $2.49 average 13 days ago.
