Heating Oil thefts – Please report!
Given the increasing value of heating oil sitting in our oil tanks, it’s not suprising to find out that heating oil thefts are on the increase. If you’ve been the victim of an oil theft please let us know by posting it here, let us know the postcode and general location, ie, village name etc so others can be warned of this kind of activity in the area.
My experioence of oil theft has been far more devious – I tracked it back to prior to Christmas 2005 (When the TOTALsite in Herts went up) they were for obvious reason had a backlog of orders and delivered 500 litres 21 Dec 2005 to tide me over (my tank was approx third full approx 300 lites) On 16 Jan they came again to top it up and put 900 litres in. On my reckoning it would be pretty difficult for me to use 400 litres in approx 26 days when I recall it wasn’t a particluarly cold winter.
However it wasn’t till 2007 I started to take notice of my usage, after I had been working away through the week from March through to July and commuting back home at the weekend – I had turned my central heating off. I noticed the oil had gone down about 4 – 5 inches. each week. Someone had been systematically siphoning off about 100 litres at a time on a weekly basis.
During all this time there were times when I walked past the tank that I could smell the fuel oil (kerosene) but thought nothing of it. Another time I noticed that there was a deposit of oil around the nut (it was wet with oil) on the back of the tank. And when I found it actually dripping out – Although I first though that the tank was leaking. When a neighbour got a spanner and turned the nut around three times to tighten it! that I realised someone had been stealing the oil. What was even more unsettling that it must have been a neighbour to be doing it on a regular basis.
I can recall the evening prior to me discovering the dripping from the tank, I had been babysitting for another neighbour they hadn’t come back particularly late and they had driven past my house, it was a drive that runs along the back of the terrace, and then shortly afterwards I came out to go back home that they, whoever they were had been disturbed and didnt have time to tighten the nut. If this hadnt happened I would have been none the wiser for a lot longer. I calculate that the minimum that could have been taken was 900 litres but actually think it was more like 2000 litres over a period of over two years! So be warned and always regularly check usage from the guage on the side of the tank. I now do it on a weekly basis!
Unfortunately the Police aren’t interested and I cannot claim from my Insurance because it has been small amounts over a period of time – If the tank had been emptied – I could make a claim!
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Mrs S August 22nd, 2010 12:42 pmHad most of a 500 litre order stolen in early Feb this year. When we reported it the Police confirmed our suspicions and said only surprising thing is that they left us some. It was taken within a few days of delivery by Emo to a small village just north of York. Obviously we are going thru the options in a bid to prevent this happening again. Has anyone tried a locking cap of some sort? Our concern is that a serious thief may just damage the tank itself to get the oil thus resulting in further inconvenience to ourselves.
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Phil Hudson Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Just woken up to a cold house and an empty tank, about 700 litres vanished. I also had EMO deliver my oil a few weeks ago?? But this time just north of Peterborough
Just a thought, with Google Maps now having full street mapping any oil tanks at the front of a property will be visible and the thieving buggers can see it from there lounge.
What an inconvenience just when my wife comes out of hospital and needs some warmth.
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had 500 litres delivered on monday, its saturday and we are empty. we noticed that our tank had been tampered with on thursday. this is the second time in 2 months. the general location is bridgerule, holsworthy, devon.
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michael February 13th, 2010 11:08 pmHad 500 litres delivered on the 23rd December. Have been back in Ireland for a couple of weeks for a relatives funeral. Came back a few days ago and discovered last night that all the oil is gone. Normally that would do us for about 4 months. Leaky pipe, hole in my tank or has someone stolen it? I know what I suspect!!
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GK - Suffolk February 2nd, 2010 1:06 pmI have just had 2000 liters of heating oil stolen from my back garden.reading others i think they had a test run about six weeks ago ,taking about 100 liters , thinking i had run out i orded more thinking this would last until next xmas at least. woke up sunday to find the whole lot has gone.
I live 12 miles outside of Salisbury . Ho well it’s only -2 tonight.
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m j January 11th, 2010 10:41 pmMy scout group located in Northfleet, Kent, had thier tank done 3 times in a week.
First time they undone the drain valve and took about 50 litres, presumably the test run, next night after increasing the security on the valve and filler cap, they returned and removed the drain valve, spilling and stealing another 200 litres. This time we sealed the drain plug with a locking plug, and plenty of never to undo sealant, then 3 nights later they cut the delivery pipe to the building.
Fortunately the muck in the tank blocked the tank filter after about 200 litres, leaving about 500 litres in the tank, and no heating for our meetings.
They were very determined as they would have had to carry it some 200 yards and get it out of a hole in the fence, so they must have been using 5 gallon drums.
The clear up and new tank and fitting cost us nearly £2000.
We now have a new tank inside the boiler house, BUT my guess is they’ll be back for that sooner or later.
The police where useless, as usual, and the oil and damage is not covered on our insurance.
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KB November 4th, 2009 2:50 pmI live near Barnstaple in North Devon and had over 500 litres stolen sometime during the last few weeks. Had the plumber out, no leaks. Had 1000 litres delivered at the end of May this year and it is all gone.
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KJ September 22nd, 2009 8:55 pmHey guys, sorry to hear about the thefts. I come regarding oil usage. Over the last 6 months, my Grandmother has had to get a fresh delivery of 500 litres a month, when before then (Over 5 years), we usually make do with 500 litres every 3-4 months. We have put it down to theft and I have made a fence around it with a padlock. But, just 3 and a half week after having 500 litres, its run out. The heating is only used for 4 hours a day and to heat water. Anyone have any idea how we are using so much?
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Paul Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Have you made sure that your grandmother’s tank is not leaking anywhere. Is it a modern, plastic tank or an old metal one. If the latter then it might be worth checking to make sure. I’m not sure if it could leak anywhere else but the extra volume she is using does sound strange.
Also, does she have her boiler serviced every year as that could make a difference.
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The papers this week are reporting a massive increase in the number of heating oil thefts across the UK.
Police have issued advice on how the oil tanks can be protected after criminals have been reported stealing large quantities of oil and in come cases, attacking those who witness the crime.
Figures reveal that the majority of the thefts came during the coldest part of the year – winter and early spring.
The increase in thefts over the last two years corresponds roughly with the rise in crude oil prices so, hopefully now that prices have gone down so will the thefts.
Most of the criminals are using vans with large tanks inside and a small electric pump to remove the contents. Emptying a full tank can take a considerable amount of time, which is why some offenders take a little and then return at a later date. So if you’ve already been unfortunate enough to experience a burglary, beware that they may return.
Police are issuing the following advice to residents to make their fuel tanks as secure as possible:
• If possible site the tank so that it is visible from the house and as far away from roads, paths and other public access routes as possible.
• Install security lighting to protect the area around the tank as most offences take place overnight.
• A remote oil level gauge situated in the house will give warning of any sudden drop in oil level by sounding an alarm.
• Lock the filler cap using a good quality padlock and protect the feed pipes to the house where possible.
• Make access to the tank as difficult as possible by using fencing with a lockable access gate or perhaps a thorny hedge.
• Report any suspect activity to the police straight away.
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Katie Johnson March 17th, 2009 2:58 pmi had oil delivered by bangor fuels end dec 500l i live in a small house and am out of the house greatest part of the day and heating is only running 2 or 3 hours a day! therefore lasts 3 or 4 months! i paid in cash for the delivery! on saturday afternoon a thuggish looking bald man knocked on my door from clandeboye fuels demanding money for oil delivered to my house i have never used this company and showed the man the receipt the guy who said in an intimidating way he needed money for the delivery or else they would suck out the oil in my tank…as i had my oil delivered in dec its almost finished…every day since sat my door and front window has been almost put in by this man what can i do? i’ve contacted the police who have said its a civil matter has anyone else experienced this? i need to buy more oil but am scared that if i fill my tank this man from clandeboye fuels is going to suck it all out………please help
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h thomas March 14th, 2009 1:06 amoil theft on day after delivery of 800 litres. trap is set for any further attempt. warwickshire
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k hegarty January 31st, 2009 8:09 pmBurgular Disemboweless is the answer.
In other words,plant as many thorny prickly plants such as clinbing roses, pyracantha , berberis and holly, train them up wires and trellis which is fixed to the tank, train all the shoots to wind around the drain points and fill up points on your tank. Wearing thick gardening gloves, pull back to allow the tank to be filled and push back when done. Its unlikely a would be oil theif will continue with such a srong deterrant and time delay. It also serves to disguise your tank as well as adding somemore colour to your garden.
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Rachel Alger January 18th, 2009 10:20 pmOil thefts – Please report! was interesting. You seem very knowledgeable in servicing insurance.
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Brandon January 16th, 2009 11:19 amOur neighbours suspect they have been hit by a theft on new years eve while away. They filled up at the start of October 08, tank holding approx 1300 liters. New years day we found the family alsation dog, dead, on the drive in a pool of vomit (assumed poisoned as we also found dog biscuits of a type he doesn’t have, scattered on the drive). The boiler ran dry of oil that day on their return. We heard and saw nothing, the dog was fine at 10.15pm. At first we didn’t connect the two incidents, as there was no sign of a theft and we were more concerned with demise of the poor dog. But that usage seems excessive, as we only use 2000 liters in a year and we live in the same type of house, so we suspect that the tank may have been approx half full. The midnight fireworks must have been a cover for the theft (or poisoning, ready for the theft in the early hours). I suggest that tank filler lids are at least marked or sealed in some way so at least you know when they have been tampered with. A twist of wire or a very weak, easily broken lock should avoid damage to the tank.
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andy January 10th, 2009 1:06 ami have had my tank syphoned this week. i rang my oil delivery company and they have had many reportings. oil company is in haslemere surrey area , i am between petworth adn midhurst. west susses. do beware
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neville January 9th, 2009 11:18 amOn the evening of Dec 23rd 2008 our neighbour has approx 350litres of heating oil stolen frhis tank in the middle of he night. What a nice xmas present to have. The location was to the East of West Malling ME19.
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MARK ROSIER January 5th, 2009 1:47 pmHello, I’ve been looking for some articles about heating contractor. I can see that you too have the same interests. Your post on “Oil thefts – Please report!” is a good example so I hope that you can keep providing information. I wish you every success.
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reece December 16th, 2008 3:29 amJust realised today i have been a victim of oil theft 500 litres .Had a delivery of Bangor fuels 3 weeks ago . Bt 21 oez . Guess i wont be back there again .
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David, Donaghadee. Reply:
January 14th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Had 500 litres delivered by Bangor Fuels only 4 weeks ago and just discovered to-day that our tank is empty! 500 litres should have lasted us another six weeks at least, based on previous usage. This is not the first time this has happened. I have no doubt that we have been the victims of oil theft!! 14th January 2009.
Post Code: BT21 0HZ.
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Think we may have just been victims of oil theft. Had 500l delivered on the 3rd October, found yesterday, 5th November a sad looking empty tank. Last 500l lasted almost 3 months. Electric heaters for me, methinks!!!
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Paff Reply:
November 20th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Have you checked for leaks?
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Believe that we have been the victims of heating oil theft. Have checked our previous bills for heating oil and usually fill up twice per year. this year have had to fill up twice already and now find the tank empty again after being filled in July. we have been shivering with the heating off for months to save fuel and now discover we have none. We have a well hidden tank and can only think that someone put a line over when filling our neighbours tank. Will investigate with neighbours to see if they have had similar problem and take suggestion of trying to syncronise deliveries
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Debbie Gloucestershire October 28th, 2008 6:56 pmHere’s the scam: You have your oil delivered on a wednesday, and it’s gone by the following Friday. You report it, claim on insurance and it’s all replaced. Then, a few days pass and your neighbour happens to mention their having fuel stolen from their tank…. you put it down to your both having been done at the same time. You chat further and discover that their oil was actually stolen the day your oil was delivered (their tank being the other side of the fence). they claimed and had a refill where the reverse happened and your contents were removed. It’s a cleve little scam.
We both used the same supplier and have identical capacity tanks. Neither locked (better the fuel lost than the tank damaged).
The police officer took the case on with gusto – the tanker driver had been doing it for about two years on and off and had two tanks on his propery.
Lessons learnt:
1. have joint deliveries to your neighbours where possible. This gives you comparisons on use.
2. allows you to negotiate a better litre price.
3. you all become aware of unexpected tankers arriving
4. share any loss with the all so as to make others aware of times and dates. Neighbours always see something – no matter how small.
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Darren - Cambs October 16th, 2008 9:41 amMy sudden loss of 400 ltrs was not theft as i thought, but rather a fault on the burner and so using fuel like crazy to heat the water in the radiators. My two year old wallstar boiler had until this point been very frugal in its oil use.
The moral of the tail is to ensure regular servicing. Or better still, do as I have and learn how to service it yourself. they are essentially very basic things.
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Lee October 16th, 2008 9:13 amI recently watched a tanker driver stopped in the lay-by near my house in the country.
I wondered what he was doing on top of his tanker with the hose, looking as if it was being fed into one of the tanks.
What could he have been doing?
I know it is supposed to be foolproof when the delivery is made and the amount received is recorded on the docket. Can this be over ridden in any way?
I suspected this driver was possibly recirculating an amount of oil back into the tank and recording it on the docket before arriving at his next customer.
Could this be a possibility?
Should we ask to see the pump docket before it is put into the pump to confirm it will start at zero?
I phoned the company involved and asked to speak to the manager. The lady said he was out at the moment and could she help. When I explained what I’d seen, she said, ”Well, that is my husband, and he certainly would not be doing anything wrong.”!!!!!!!
I suppose you would say that!!!!!
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Jim BT - Fermanagh - N Ireland October 12th, 2008 11:19 amIt is strange dont you think? All this oil and most likely lots more being STOLEN not nicked STOLEN. Yet nobody that i’m aware of has been nicked by the police for theft of oil?
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Strange September 25th, 2008 8:48 pmI know its too late now, and i dont know if it was nicked or not, but we got 500ltrs in January (the 8th if i can remember), the beginning anyway, and at the end of febuary/beginning of march, the watchman was flashing with a 1, so i dont know if that was normal, but we got more, another 500ltrs at the beginning of April and it was gone by the beginning of june, is that suspicious?, then we got 500ltrs yesterday, was still there this morning and the watchman still says 4, im checking it everday incase some b*****d is nicking from me.
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Matthew September 3rd, 2008 11:38 pm1000 litres of heating oil stolen at 3am on 30/7/08 from bunded oil tank located in car park of 24 hour staffed care home with security lighting. CCTV, tamper and flow rate alarm linked to building system now fitted to prevent re-occurance.
PE32 2DJ Little Dunham, Norfolk
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Crown Rest Home July 31st, 2008 11:00 amWilts/Dorset border – about 6 attempts at theft in our village, our tank has a anti-surge device fitted so although the tank was ‘inspected’ by thieves nothing was taken, two men with bowser being towed by van have been around, and were actually caught with hose in farm tank running to bowser. Petrol also being taken from cars. All at around 2 am in the morning, so get a large dog or an anti-surge device.
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diana forse July 28th, 2008 1:09 pmI live in the South Ham in Devon and was the victim of an domestic fuel oil theft back in march this year. Losing about £450 of oil.
Since then I’ve fitted a fuel oil alarm lock which seems to work, it activated the following week when I think the theives came back to see if I’d re-filled the tank, which I had and have another go. £60 fior an alarm lock seems a bargin now compared with the price of heating oil.
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Julia Graham Reply:
August 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Hi Alec, can I ask where you got the fuel oil alarm lock, I’m not having much joy in finding anything yet.
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Some people have stated that their insurance paid up for the theft. I checked with my home (and contents) insurers (NatWest) and firstly they didn’t know but later stated that as the tank is external (thanks to regulations!) the oil wasn’t covered although damage to the tank and any environmental clean-up was. They suggested a call to the ABI to see if I could obtain a separate policy to cover the oil… What’s the concensus on whether or not the CONTENTS of the tank are covered by your insurance? 1000ltrs being approx £650 makes it a big loss to stand!
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Simon R Reply:
August 29th, 2008 at 8:07 am
I have only just seen this, as an insurance broker, I am affraid you are sufferring from dealing direct with a provider and call centres which regretably are full of screen driven kids with no real insurance experience. I was covered with Zurich for years which automatically covered me up to £1000 for oil theft but I paid an extra £22 from memory to increase it to £3000 but I moved to Oak a specialist hign net worth provider and with a 7000 litre tank their standard cover of £5000 is more appropriate.
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Yes we,ve been thieved of oil. Folkestone, Kent
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Mark Stevens July 22nd, 2008 8:53 amWe’ve lost our oil twice, both times just after a certain company delivered the oil. I suspected someone from the company might be tipping of the theives where the best pickings were…
Changing suppliers has resolved the problem for now, but for how long…?
I had the crime prevention officer in to advise on ‘crime prevention’ and he just repeated what another corresondent said: Don’t try to secure the tank, or they’ll just cut a hole in it. Gas anyone? Location FK14 (Dollar)
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Angela Reply:
September 18th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Hi, What was the company called that you had supplied, whom you suspected were tipping the theives? Thanks, much appreciated.
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beware of oil theives – they monitor your property and will come and take it over a period of a few days in daylight. The thieves left their sunglasses here last time, so if you knicked my oil and need your glasses – come back and collect them !!!???
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emma banks July 9th, 2008 1:05 pmOil stollen last September. Value of theft and damage to pipe and boiler £850.00.
thiefs broak the conecting pipe from boiler to house. Took some oil and left the tap open releasing approximately 1700 litrs into the soil.
As we live near the Broads the removal of contaminated soil will cost the insurance company between £18 – £20K!!!!!!
Still ongoing.
Police interest? Absolutely NIL!!
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david littlechild June 27th, 2008 9:11 amOur oil was stolen a couple of years ago, on New Years Eve, just a week after delivery. They got in over the neighbours fence. We have been advised not to padlock the tank because the mindless idiots will puncture the side of it. They got away with 1000 litres. Bless ‘em.
We live in a small village called Old Somerby and, naturally, no one saw or heard anything. Three other families were targeted in the same village in just a few days.
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The Seprini Family June 19th, 2008 5:26 pmWe must have had some 900 ltrs stolen, Noticed only days after a fill up ! of a thousand ltrs ! Seemed as if it was the same company of which filled it up in the first place?
Since then we had a faulty tank which split, Was replaced under warranty and the pumping out of near 900 ltrs again took minutes! Scary thought when the oil is only in the same plastic tanks ! Having CCTV fitted this weekend, So may have some pictures to follow ! Watch this space !
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Mr Greener June 13th, 2008 8:22 amWe had our oil stolen in December having only filled up at the end of November. Initially we thought there must have been some kind of leak but this was checked and was found to not be the problem. When I spoke to a neighbour about it she told me that she had noticed the lid wasn’t on her tank during that same week and that the level on hers was down considerably also. About 1 month later a local farmer was also a victim of theft. This all happened in Somerset
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Heidi Braithwaite June 13th, 2008 7:07 amI’ve had two thefts, each 1000litres+, from a tank in a remote location in North Yorkshire; I know for certain that they were thefts because the central heating wasn’t working at the time and therefore no oil was being consumed! Strangely, they both happened within days of a delivery … when the tank is next empty/robbed, I’ll be relocating it, which will make deliveries more difficult, and I will also ensure I only order deliveries when I can be there to see that they actually take place …
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coldcomfortfarm June 6th, 2008 9:16 amHi there, over the weekend of 17th-18th May, about 500 litres of kerosene was stolen from the village school here in Punnetts Town (TN21 area). We live very close by, but none of us heard anything, nor any of our dogs!
The tank is quite new, and of course, because of regulations, is out on its own in a wide open space, as far from all the buildings as possible! The old tank was inside a brick building, and totally secure, most people not even knowing it was there.
I think its time someone in authority realised that some of the ‘safety regulations’ aren’t necessary, and others are a big step backwards.
There are a lot of tanks locally which are literally on the roadside instead of tucked away beside, or behind their respective houses.
Finally, a thought on how the theft is done so quietly. Several years ago, whilst I worked for a local authority, I was chatting to a friend who worked for the neighbouring authority. Pete told me that some toerag had been sacked for theiving fuel. What he did was hook up a tank in the back of his van to the inlet manifold. By driving to work, a vacuum built in the tank, he then dropped a hose through the floor and down the dip stick pipe of the underground tanks. TOTALLY SILENT TRANSFER of SEVERAL HUNDRED litres over some while ! Perhaps we shouldnt be listening for a pump type noise at all, but be VERY suspicious of any vehicle loitering, even if only for a short time.
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paul longley May 30th, 2008 8:19 pmYes, we have become a victim of this crime, I would suggest reduce the amount of heating oil stored, and top up more frequently. Locking the tanks, they simply cut a hole in plastic tank, which costs more to fix than the loss of oil.
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David May 30th, 2008 12:53 pmOur tank was emptied of just under 1000 litres of kerosene at the end of April. We smelt fuel and dipped the tank to find an inch at the bottom.
Reported to police and spread the word around on these scum of the planet!
We now have all three dogs roaming free at night, security lighting and CCTV. Oh…and have also built a seven foot fence around yard perimeter with razor wire on top!!! Let the b******s try it now!
Shotgun is also at the ready!
We are in ML12.
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Suzanne May 30th, 2008 12:06 pmWe had about 500 litres stolen and there was also evidence that ‘they’ had come back to snoop around for other items to steal. They must have used a long pipe to drain out the oil. We successfully claimed on house insurance and have locked the tank’s filler the best we can.
Location: Near Malvern, Herefordshire
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Jon Ward May 30th, 2008 9:14 amWe had only just filled up our new tank with 1000 litres when we noticed that the top wasn’t on properly – we thought the wind had blown it off.
Didn’t think anything of this until about a week later we ran out of oil.
We have since had a padlock on but realistically this is no deterrent – they will still get in.
Oh to have gas in the area.
Our postcode is SY14.
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Gerry Slawson May 30th, 2008 8:50 amHad 200 litres go last weekend only noticed when i smelt diesel and saw the filter dripping the nuts either side were loose. Location Holtby York
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JUDITH May 23rd, 2008 3:14 pmi had just filled my tank up at a cost of£547 and was left with none they broke off the paddlock while we were asleep and emptied the lot
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Catherine McPhee May 16th, 2008 8:05 pmOX25 6JN Duns Tew, Oxfordshire
1500 litres domestic kerosene stolen sometime between end of March and the beginning of May. Small amount of oil left in tank so as not to arouse immediate suspicion. Only became aware when gardening this weekend and accidentally knocked the tank – hollow sound – oh sh*t. No signs of leak (we would be paddling in the stuff), boiler no problems, must have been nicked. Be warned.
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D C Parsons May 12th, 2008 1:53 pmI found my gate open on Bank Holiday Monday morning, which always shut due to animals and children. I checked the oil tank and the lid was ajar. I could feel through the tank that there was only a small amount left in the tank which had been filled at christmas. 8/5/08. Post code PO18 – Chichester, West Sussex
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M Harding May 8th, 2008 6:29 pmMy outside oil tank was recently raided, the theives getting away with nearly 1000 litres. My postcode is SG17 5PH
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W Molloy May 8th, 2008 12:28 pmWimborne Dorset BH21 7AG. WHilst we were on holiday, over a 1000 litres disappeared.
They kindly left us enough oil to not raise our suspicions immedicately. Got past the lock and drilled the tank.
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Stefan Morawiec April 30th, 2008 11:23 pmWe had 500 litres stolen the night after it was filled – Derby Area
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Scott Chilton April 28th, 2008 3:01 pmThere was a news letter put round my mums area of Pentland Park in Loanhead warning that thieves were using tankers to syphon off heating oil.
We’ve fitted a padlock to mums tank, she also has a sensor and good neighbours
EH20 postcode
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Mari April 23rd, 2008 6:42 pmPembrokeshire (SA62) area. We have had several thefts over the last few months and are now filling only 250 litres at a time.
BTW, naomi asked why thieves didn’t / don’t fully empty the tank – this is so that the boiler doesn’t go out immediately meaning you probably won’t notice until days later. And it also avoids any crud in the bottom.
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Sarah Reply:
June 14th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Hi Duncan.
I now I am replying to an old message from 2years ago but can you provide your supplir who supplies 250ltrs of oil per delivery?
I am struggling to find a supplier ;-(
Kind Regards
Sarah
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I have had my oil stolen from my tank, I cannot belive the lengths theives will go to
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Jo Lancey April 15th, 2008 8:45 amI was robbed today, they refused to deliver unless I paid 54p a litre !
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Jeepster April 11th, 2008 11:04 am1500 litres stolen – LL41 post code
Had a 2000l delivery in November and hardly any used.
Police say a lot of thefts in North Wales.
Have just had a delivery of 1000 litres and will be stepping down to 500 litres a delivery in future.
The only good thing is that the Police say that, once hit, you don’t get hit again, at least by the professionals that are doing it.
Steve
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Steve Gold March 28th, 2008 8:10 pm500 litres delivered three weeks ago after sudden unexpected perceived winter use, tank empy at Easter
Suspect two thefts as extreme consumtion compared with previous years
Any recommendations for tank locks please. BA11(Somerset)
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Michael March 26th, 2008 12:16 am500 LITRES WAS STOLEN OUT OF MY TANK ON MONDAY 10TH MARCH. I HAD GOT A DELIVERY ON 28 FEB FROM BANGOR FUELS. BT23 8YW PRIORY AREA OF NEWTOWNARDS
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Claire Stewart March 11th, 2008 10:19 amI have just discovered what I think to be theft of my heating oil. I lost 400 litres in two weeks and I live in a one bed room flat. As I pay monthly and my tank is topped up on a regular basis I never thought to check. Since then I have looked at my usage since I moved in 3 yrs ago and discovered that one month I apparentlhy used 451 litres!! Between 12 Dec 2005 and 15 Feb 2006 I had three deliveries totalling 1300 litres my tank only holds 1200 litres. I cannot understand why I had a delivery every month at this time. I am now on the case and I intend to get some answers but the most frightening thing is I live on a private estate and my tank is locked away in a brick built shed!! I also put a padlock on the lid in November when I again noticed a rapid fall in the level but whoever it is still managed to get in.
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Fiona Brydon February 29th, 2008 9:00 amlast night i was another long suffering victim of oil in the north elmham area dereham.
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amanda white February 26th, 2008 4:15 pmIf you think you are being siphoned, hammer a selection of 3′ nails through a plank and leave it on the ground at the filler end of your tank AFTER your next delivery. Cover with leaves or similar and wait.
You’ll find any culprit hopping around in the garden (Or standing very still and shouting)
If you want to be really mean, rub some dog crap on the nails.
don’t forget to take it up before the next delivery or you may need to find a new supplier !!!!
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graham swift February 8th, 2008 11:07 pmWhat about this for an idea to deter oil thieves? Block off your sight gauge (or fit a sight gauge if you haven’t already got one), inside at the bottom, but put a couple of inches of oil in to look as though the tank is nearly empty. OK, you lose the use of the gauge but better that than a few hundred pounds worth of oil. Of course, if the thieves have been following the oil tanker around and noting the deliveries then they might smell a rat.
Roger Bush
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Roger Bush February 8th, 2008 11:29 amim not sure if im a victim of heating oil theft .. but for the past 4 years .. we have had a 500 litre fil up .. every 8 weeks …my last top up was totally to the top .. 1200 litres .. yet just yesterday .. only 8 weeks on .. we have a totally empty tank.. 1200 litres in just 8 weeks …. im pretty sure that some nasty little oik has been dipping into my tank … .. this is in HEMSBY .. nr GREAT YARMOUTH
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andy bridges February 7th, 2008 6:20 pmWe lost a nearly full tank last October. The gypsy Stow fair was on at the time of the theft. The unit is partly diguised with brush screening and at the back of our property. You can’t see it from the road. As this was a new tank with remote oil alert we knew the following day we had a problem. I think we have been hit before as I’ve seen the fuel cap left up, but without an easy fuel gauge, you can’t see it going. We are in a rural area in a moderate sized village, on a main road between Oxford and Stratford. We lost 800 litres overnight and the sudden drop damaged the boiler costing another £200!. The Warwickshire police had not heard of any similar incidents.
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Sarah February 3rd, 2008 3:11 pmWe use around 100 ltrs a week in a large old house, heating on 8.5 hrs a day. Your usage (55 to 60 lpw) seems fine to me.
Stealing oil is not a casual opportunist theft, and is – I dare say – fairly rare.
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Kerryc January 31st, 2008 3:49 pmhad 500 litres delivered on 21 Nov. Tank was nearly empty before refill. As of 29 Jan 2008 we were completely empty! just the two of us who have our boiler on timer for 6-8 hours a day. Could this be theft or just usage? Anyone advise out there?
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SMC January 31st, 2008 10:50 amWe are not sure if we have been victims of theft, But our oil marker did plunge significantly a couple of weeks ago leaving us in a position where we need to shortly order more oil. We appear to have used the same amount in 5 mths (aug – Jan) as we used from (Nov-Aug). If we were victims of theft how come they did’nt take all of it?
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Naomi January 26th, 2008 12:02 pmWhile I sympathise with those of genuine theft, there are some people out there, were they have a smaller quantity (500) and report it as stolen after about 3-4 weeks of delivery, not reaising/accepting that it is possible to have used it in this period. Or to see a ‘tanker’ in a drive, others could think that it has been put into the wrong tank so being syphened to correct a wrong delivery, so have no reason to question.
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kay January 24th, 2008 6:17 amNE Notts (Southwell area)
Had almost 3000 litres stolen within days of it being delivered.
It must have been the driver, or an ‘associate’ of the driver because no one can see our tank from the road (even the delivery drivers have to phone us at work to ask where it was!).
A neighbour saw the tanker that took it (looked just like any other, so thought nothing of it). We have secuirty CCTV too, but they parked in next doors’ driveway and dropped the pipe over the hedge, so no video. We now have tank sensor and CCTV pointing directly at the camera.
Insurance with Prudential was brilliaint, they paid-out within 2 weeks of reporting it, no fuss.
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Mrs S Reply:
January 16th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Please stop and think before you make such sweeping statements as ‘it must have been the driver or an ‘associate’.
I work for a large oil company and can assure you that all the drivers employed by our depot are hardworking, trustworthy and honest and would not stoop so low to earn a few extra pounds.
Unfortunately there are career criminals out there who make it their aim to find out where oil is being delivered, either to domestic or business premises, by following the unsuspecting driver, so they can return later to steal it,
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Hadleigh, Suffolk (IP7 area)
Unfortunately, I had 1500 litres stolen just before Christmas which caused huge problems with cold kids and a sudden increase in price – just because it was Christmas.
The only good thing (there should always be a silver lining), was that they syphoned at the sump end and have cleared out 20 years worth of sludge. Thanks guys!
When reported, I was told that there has been quite a few incidents due to the high price of fuel.
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Axelson January 23rd, 2008 5:36 pm