GAS bottles have been stolen from a petrol station on the A38 in Whitminster and the owner is offering a reward for information leading to a conviction for the offenders.

Fromebridge Garage saw eight cylinders stolen on Saturday evening, April 26 which have an estimated value of £274, with the gas expected to fetch £184.

This is the second time in six months that the bottles at the station have been targeted as offenders this time reversed on to the forecourt and used bolt cutters to cut through the iron mesh cage they were contained in.

The incident, which happened at around 9.44pm saw two occupants of a red Ford Galaxy drove onto the garage and ignore the improved locks before cutting the mesh of the cage.

Manager Mike Stayte said the company will have to stop storing the cylinders at the front of the station.

“It’s very frustrating to have somebody steal this,” he said.

“It’s not only that but it’s the damage as well. The cage is beyond repair, smashed it to smithereens, just to get the gas.”

Mr Stayte is offering £500 for information that leads to the conviction of the offenders.

According to CCTV footage, the car’s registration is Y465 EFC and the occupants of the car are suspected to be in their mid 30s.

If anyone has any information, call Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 382 of April 28.