Two men have been arrested and were due in court after separate attempts to steal fuel in Christchurch and Hamilton, following early morning reports from members of the public.

Police were called about 4am after a person saw someone trying to siphon petrol from a vehicle in Sockburn.

Officers attended and made enquiries before stopping a vehicle nearby.

A search of the vehicle located five 60 litre containers, a battery operated siphoning pump, and a small amount of methamphetamine.

A 31 year old man was due to appear in the Christchurch District Court charged with unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle, possessing items for dishonesty offending, and possession of methamphetamine.

In a separate incident about 4:20am, police received a call from a person monitoring a live camera feed who saw a man stealing diesel from a worksite in Peacocke, Hamilton.

The man left the scene in a hatchback heading south before being stopped by police about 4:35am.

Officers found three containers of diesel in the vehicle along with tools, drugs, and knives.

A 35 year old man was due to appear in the Hamilton District Court, with charges yet to be confirmed.

Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny said police were continuing to monitor fuel thefts and had started to see an increase in diesel thefts.

“These incidents are an example of where we are reliant on sharp-eyed members of the public to call police immediately when they see any suspicious activity.

We want to thank the community for working with us to ensure these offenders were arrested and will be held to account,” she said.