More advice is offered on how to prevent heating oil theft

21 May 2012

Posted by Neil Brunskill

More advice has been offered to homeowners who use heating oil following a spate of fuel thefts in one part of the country.

The Bude Neighbourhood Police Team told the Cornish Guardian the cold weather experienced over the past few weeks has resulted in several attempts to break into storage tanks and a number of incidents in which criminals managed to get away with hundreds of litres.

"If you have a heating oil tank - or have a neighbour that does - then please regularly check the tank," said police community support officer Sarah Ross.

She recommended tank alarms and locks, but also pointed out that vigilance is important.

The officer suggested taking vehicle registration numbers of any cars containing individuals acting suspiciously and then ringing the non-emergency crime number 101.

This comes after the Tissington Area Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team also highlighted the importance of better security measures and communities working together to prevent heating oil theft.

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.