When it comes to filling up your car with the wrong fuel Kent Police seem to be among the worst culprits.

Clumsy coppers cost the force nearly £50,000 in repair costs in the last five years.

The figures were revealed exclusively to a Kent Messenger Newspaper using the Freedom of Information Act.

The worst forecourt offenders were South Kent police covering Ashford, Shepway and Dover.

Their staff chose the wrong pump 45 times in the last five years, costing £8278.80, more than double North Kent police’s repair bill, which was £4,039.78.

Medway Police slipped up 35 times, which cost them £5,856.52, closely followed by Mid-Kent Police which had 34 incidents at a cost of £5,699.33.

West Kent Police covering Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Malling had the fewest mishaps – being only three – but it still cost the force over £5,000 in repair damages.

East Kent bobbies patrolling areas such as Canterbury and Margate confused the pumps 29 times, setting them back £4,746.33.

Kent Police as a whole spent almost £48,831 in repairs to vehicle engines clogged up with the wrong fuel since 2003, as a result of 274 mishaps.

Despite the mishaps police say the resulting break-downs and forecourt rescues have not affected their work.

The spokesman said: “Instances where vehicles have been filled with the wrong fuel has not affected the service we have provided to the public.

“It is worth pointing out that automobile associations estimate at least 150,000 drivers put the wrong fuel in their vehicles each year.”