Oil prices pushing up heating oil bills

24 June 2008

Home heating oil bills have soared by 84 per cent compared with one year ago, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal.

According to the Guardian newspaper, the rising value of domestic heating oil supplies has spawned anecdotal reports from rural areas of heating oil theft.

Tanks outside homes are being targeted by thieves who are using the oil to run their cars or for their own heating.

Crude oil prices have soared to nearly $140 (£71.18) a barrel in recent weeks, though they have since slipped back to around $134.

Farmers union insurers estimate that members have had £100,000 worth of fuel stolen since the beginning of the year.

Rising oil prices claimed the life of a farmer's wife in the UK this week after she collapsed having caught thieves stealing diesel. Rosemary and William Dove spotted an intruder on their farm and called their two sons, but Mrs Dove had a heart attack as she called police for help and died before paramedics could reach the scene.

Click here to view home heating oil price trends.