Heating oil thefts 'rise sharply'

26 June 2008

Thefts of heating oil have risen sharply in Britain, as opportunistic criminals seek to cash in on soaring oil prices.

According to the BBC, police forces across the UK have been reporting a "huge rise" in thefts of heating oil from domestic tanks.

Oil prices have reached record levels in recent weeks and have doubled over the past year, soaring to nearly $139 (£70.10) per barrel.

Madeleine Harding of Westhampnett, Chichester, told the BBC that she had £200 worth of heating oil stolen from her back garden during the night after thieves tampered with her gate.

Police are urging householders to ensure that supplies are hidden and to maintain vigilance, as analysts forecast further fuel price rises this year.

An estimated one and a half million people in Britain now use heating oil, most of whom live in rural areas where there is no access to gas supplies.

Britain has also seen a sharp increase in thefts of diesel at farms across the country and a farmer's wife in Durham died at the weekend as she called police to report raiders trying steal fuel.

Click here to view home heating oil price trends.