Watch out! Heating Oil thieves about...

There have been reports of suspicious activity at isolated rural homes across the region in the past couple of weeks. Sheds etc., have been  targeted but the major problem would seem to be people looking for heating oil tanks and heating oil has been reported stolen. Suspicious activity and theft has been noticed in the Villages of Wanborough and Aldbourne. Other villages in Wiltshire, especially in the Salisbury area have been affected. 

Wiltshire police have recently noticed an increase in the theft of household heating oil from tanks. This type of theft is now common  due to the high price of oil, along with easy access to the outside storage containers.

Crime Reduction Officer, Claire Rooney from Wiltshire Police said "Many homes, especially those in rural locations throughout Wiltshire are served by this form of heating, and their oil is stored in large tanks in the garden, with the average oil tank costing £1000 to fill, I would urge anyone with an oil tank to take some basis crime prevention measures."

Crime Prevention Measures

Ensure the tank is as out of sight as possible, if you are unable to do this camouflage as best you can Conceal exterior pipe work Keep front gates to your property shut and any side gates locked Check your tank regularly and report anything suspicious to your local police as soon as possible A metal cage can be used to protect the tap. Install security lighting. Ensure that you have adequate insurance cover.

Criminals are using vans with large tanks inside and a small electric pump to remove the contents. Emptying a full tank can take a considerable amount of time, which is why some offenders take a little and then return at a later date. If you've already experienced a burglary, beware that they may return.

Make  fuel tanks as secure as possible:

Fit an Anti-surge device

Fit CCTV pointing directly at the tank

Fit security lighting

Link tamper and flow rate alarm to building alarm system

Protect the tap with a metal cage

If possible site the tank so that it is visible from the house and as far away from roads, paths and other public access routes as possible.

Install security lighting to protect the area around the tank as most offences take place overnight.

A remote oil level gauge situated in the house will give warning of any sudden drop in oil level by sounding an alarm.

Lock the filler cap using a good quality padlock and protect the feed pipes to the house where possible.

Make access to the tank as difficult as possible by using fencing with a lockable access gate or perhaps a thorny hedge.

Report any suspect activity to the police straight away.

Have joint deliveries to your neighbours where possible. This gives you comparisons on use.

It allows you to negotiate a better litre price.

You all become aware of unexpected tankers arriving

Share information about any loss with them  so as to make others aware of times and dates. Neighbours always see something – no matter how small.