Lisburn thieves steal home heating oil

10 March 2008

Homeowners with have been targeted by a spate of home heating oil thefts in the city of Lisburn, County Antrim.

It is thought that a van or a lorry has been used to drain oil tanks of home heating oil, the Ulster Star reports.

The crimes have coincided with soaring oil prices, with record levels of $107 (£53.07) reached today.

Home heating oil owners have been urged to remain vigilant by the local police and to ensure padlocks are used to secure oil tanks.

Crime Prevention Officer Constable Willie Johnston told homeowners: "Look out for suspicious vehicles and listen out for the sound of an electric pump or generator coming from a vehicle."

He added that such a crime takes time and the perpetrators are most likely to be caught while in the act of emptying an oil tank.

Last month, the Belfast Telegraph reported on a number of home heating oil thefts in Northern Irish counties.

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