Heating And Diesel Oil Theft

Theft of heating and diesel oil has been a problem for many years and the police have always noticed an increase in this type of crime whenever the price of crude oil rises. A rise in the price of fuel at the petrol pump inevitably leads to a rise in the cost of heating oil and also diesel oil. This makes it a more attractive proposition for the thief and they are now actively targeting fuel tanks at farms, transport depots and domestic properties. The thief may be using the oil for their own central heating or selling it on at a handsome profit.

These tanks can contain many thousands of pounds worth of oil and it is therefore it makes good sense to take a few precautions to protect them. Read on for our top tips to help ensure that the theives aren't putting a drain on your resources.

About The Tank

The Oil Firing Technical Association For The Petroleum Industry (OFTEC for short) offers advice and guidance for those who use and store oil at their premises. There are certain rules and regulations that may apply to you and OFTEC will help clarify these for you. They can be reached at http://www.oftec.org.uk/ or by calling 0845 6585 080. They also produce an "Easy guide to domestic oil storage" which is a very straightforward and useful document.

Where To Put It?

The position of the tank can have a significant effect on how hard a target it is in the eyes of the thief. If the tank is close to the house, with one or more windows capable of giving a view of it, then the thief may consider the chances of being seen too high. If the tank is close to a road, path, drive or alleyway then it will be a far easier target. Hiding the tank behind the  garage, shed or some other type of outbuilding is fairly commonplace, but it does give the thief the advantage. Not many oil tanks are works of art so who wants a tank in full view?  While it may not be desirable, or legal, to have the tank close to the house some sort of compromise location would be sensible. Of course this will not only be a major consideration when a new tank is to be installed but may be necessary if the tank has been targeted before. They do need to be within a reasonable distance of the road otherwise the oil supply company may not be able to refill it for you!

Prickly plants can help deter theives

CCTV could be a solution - but there are other cost-effective alternatives

Security lighting can shine a light on the situation

Keep It Secure

• If your tank is not in use for any period of time, make sure you switch off any switches that control the flow of oil, or isolate the electricity supply.
• Fit a good lock - a thief will come equipped with a limited range of tools to attack your tank so its worth spending a little more on good quality locks. Close shackle padlocks are the best as they offer most resistance to the most popular of burglar tools - the bolt cropper! Due to their design, close shackle padlocks have very little of the metal hoop (shackle) exposed and bolt croppers cannot get a good grip. Remember that buying a padlock is like buying a car the more you pay the better the quality you get and the longer it will last.
• Keep an eye on the oil level. Remote electronic oil level gauges are now available which will set off an audible alarm if the oil level in the tank suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full. These gauges can be located in the kitchen or perhaps a utility room to warn of any potential problem. There are two or three different versions on the market at the moment and cost between £70 and £100.
• Fit security lighting around your tank.  Security lights can have a very positive effect and make any property a much harder target for the thief. Its not always necessary to floodlight the area with high power beams, as a more subtle level of lighting may be all that is needed. Low energy "dusk 'til dawn" lights positioned close to the tank should, in most cases, provide sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity. High powered lights can be used but care should be taken not to cause any nuisance to neighbours or road users.
• Defensive planting - nature's way of reducing crime.  Thieves will not wish to force their way through or over a prickly hedge. The smallest trace of blood or shred of ripped clothing could help the police identify the offender. Find out more about defensive planting in our 'Nip Garden Crime in the Bud' leaflet.
• Fence it in - fences and walls can also make life difficult for the thief. A wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can give significant protection to the tank but it must be remembered that the oil tanker driver will need access to fill the tank. A metal grill or cage with a lockable access point across the top of this wall or fence can further improve security.

• The use of CCTV as a crime prevention and a crime detection tool has grown massively in recent years. It could play a part in the protection of oil tanks but before you spend lots of money on equipment make an assessment of your needs. Ask yourself:

• What do I hope to achieve by using CCTV?
• How much am I prepared to spend?
• Is there a reasonable level of light where the cameras will be operating or do I need to think about using cameras with low light capability? (most thefts take place at night).
• What am I going to record the captured images on - digital recording is best?
• How am I going to provide the police with any evidence I may capture?