Police issue heating oil theft warning
 03 Jun 2008
Police in the UK have issued a series warning to people living in rural areas about a sharp rise in the number of heating oil thefts.
As global oil prices continue to soar, home heating oil is becoming a more valuable commodity and police are reporting more heating oil thefts from domestic residences, the BBC reports.
Those with domestic storage tanks are being advised to check their security, as thieves target homes on "an almost industrial scale".
Dyfed-Powys in Wales has seen the number of home heating oil thefts soar from just 17 last year to 59 incidents since the start of 2008.
Dilys Jones, 82, from Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, told the BBC that she had almost £400 worth of fuel stolen from her tank and knew of two other people in the local area who had suffered similar thefts.
The public is being urged by police officers to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and report incidents immediately.
Pembrokeshire crime prevention officer Max Bevan stated: "Officers are carrying increased stop checks of vans moving about at night and we have found people who are stealing on an almost industrial scale."
Oil prices have risen by around 40 per cent since the start of 2008 and doubled within the past year, reaching record highs of over $135 (£68.75) a barrel.
Click here to view home heating oil price trends.
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