Heating oil thieves target primary school

1 December 2008

A primary school in Shropshire was forced to close last week after its heating oil tank was targeted by thieves.

Montgomery Primary School headteacher Arwyn Jones told the Shropshire Star: "We noticed the level of heating oil in the tank had dropped rapidly after the weekend break and by Tuesday we were left without heating."

The tank, which was down by around 350 litres, was checked for leakages but when none were found police had to be called in.

Parents were informed and pupils were sent home until the school opened again on Friday.

The school has since stepped up its heating oil security measures by having a new tank installed.

This follows a string of home heating oil thefts around the country as the weather gets colder and people struggle to pay their heating bills.

Most recently rural residents in the Fenland area were urged by police to increase their heating oil tank security following an increase of such thefts in the area.

Click here for a home heating oil tank lock