Increase in heating oil thefts reported

9 September 2008

Thieves are using 2,000 litre tanks to siphon home heating oil, police have revealed.

According to the Evening Leader, officers in Wrexham are urging to take extra security precautions, as the credit crunch prompts an increase in thefts.

Inspector Chris Beasley told the publication that thieves are moving "with the times", responding the rising cost of living by targeting £1.5 billion domestic oil market.

"Any factories, farms – anyone who's got heating oil and diesel tanks – people should take caution and protect what they have," he advised.

Police noted that rural properties are particularly at risk, as they are "out of the way", blaming a doubling in heating oil prices over the last year.

Last week the Ulster Herald reported that an 83-year-old woman had been the victim of a home heating oil theft while recovering from a stroke.

She returned home after six weeks in hospital to find that £300 worth of fuel had been drained from her tank.

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