Homeowners warned about heating oil theft

19 April 2012

Posted by Kim Bardsley

Homeowners who use heating oil have been warned to guard against theft or risk losing large amounts of the fuel overnight.

Paul Blacklock of Calor told H&V News this is becoming an increasing problem in rural areas in particular, as residents there tend to use it more than city dwellers.

"With the rising cost of oil, homeowners are seeing their heating oil tanks being siphoned off," he commented.

The expert added that heating oil is typically more vulnerable to being stolen than liquid petroleum gas because of the way it is stored.

Heating oil customers are advised by police and insurers to use an oil tank lock and to install fencing around storage facilities. An alarm to let them know if volumes fall suddenly may also be useful.

Similar warnings about fuel theft came recently from insurer NFU Mutual, which said it is seeing claims going up as a result of increasing levels of the crime.

If you have been the victim of a heating oil theft in the last year, visit BoilerJuice's new oil theft watch service to make an anonymous report or to register for free oil theft alerts in your area.