Police warn against heating oil thefts

27 February 2009

A trio of incidents in Moneymore, Northern Ireland have prompted police to issue a warning to domestic heating oil customers to be on their guard against thieves.

While oil prices have plummeted in recent months, this has not stopped criminals from targeting oil tanks outside houses and farms.

According to the Mid Ulster Mail, thieves are particularly active in the Moneymore area, with three homeowners having fallen victim to crime in the past week.

One resident lost up to £250 worth of oil, while criminals siphoned off a total of 1,000 litres from two other homes in the area.

Police are calling for residents to report any suspicious behaviour and keep an eye out for vans or lorries, which they believe are being used to make off with the fuel.

Home and business owners in Thornbury, Gloucestershire are also being warned to step up security measures after a series of thefts in rural locations.

Criminals have targeted diesel, power tools and live stock, as well as seeking to siphon off heating oil from the tanks of some homes, the Gloucestershire Gazette reports.

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