Norfolk police issue further warning over heating oil thefts

6 October 2008

Police in Norwich have issued a second warning to householders about potential heating oil thefts in as many weeks.

Norfolk Constabulary has told heating oil users to beware of thieves as the winter months draw in as 11 homes have already been hit, reports the Norwich Evening News (NEN).

The rising cost of fuel and the downturn in the economy have made the problem worse, as stolen heating oil is often sold on.

Police have launched a campaign to try and help protect oil tanks in the community.

PCSO Pam Potter, of the Caister and Coastal Villages Safer Neighbourhood team, told the paper: "We liaised with fuel companies to raise awareness, made reassurance visits victims of thefts, gave out crime prevention advice and when on patrol we spoke to householders who had vulnerable tanks visible from the road."

The police had warned heating oil users to lock up their tanks in a bid to reduce theft in the region last week, according to the NEN.

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