Fuel fraud spreads to petrol pump

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Thousands of motorists in Northern Ireland could be buying contaminated fuel every day, a BBC Newsline investigation has found.

Up to six different substances, including heating oil and paint thinners, are being used in fuel, the BBC NI environment correspondent said.

Mike McKimm said nearly a third of all garages in NI sell phoney fuels, some unwittingly.

"It is a practice that has now spread to petrol sales," he said.

"The removal of the red dye from diesel and then passing it off as normal diesel used to be the only problem for motorists."

The illegal petrol can cause damage to people's cars, leaving them with expensive repair bills.

"At least one major fuel supplier here even has special security on its forecourts to prevent fuel fraud," Mr McKimm said.