Heating oil users given anti-theft advice

14 November 2008

Home heating oil users have been advised to step up their security measures in a bid to deter thieves.

North Yorkshire police have noted an increase in the number of fuel thefts in rural areas in recent months, with criminals now preying on residential properties as well as the traditional target of farms.

The force has now issued a list of recommendations to homeowners designed to help them protect their heating oil supply.

Among the steps police would like to see residents taking are fitting locks to oil tanks, installing alarms systems and using security lights.

Heating oil users should also make regular checks on the volume of fuel left in their tank.

It is believed that the recent record high prices have caused an increase in the amount of heating oil thefts.

However, prices have begun to fall as the value of crude oil has collapsed, and figures published by BoilerJuice show that the cost of the fuel has dropped by around 30 per cent in the past four months.

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