Oil Tank Alarms

Homeowners urged to help stop criminals damaging environment

Criminals who target oil tanks do not only leave homeowners out of pocket, they can also leave behind a large clean-up operation and environmental damage.

To reduce this risk, the Environment Agency is working with police forces in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire to prevent pollution as a result of thefts from heating oil tanks.

Shaun Rowson, Groundwater and Contaminated Land Team Leader, said: “We are aware there has been an increase in the number of thefts from heating oil tanks across Lincolnshire. The police advise owners to be aware of this sort of crime, look out for one another and use deterrents. This is all useful advice.

“However, the one thing that is often overlooked, particularly where the theft of oil has resulted in damage to a tank, is the potential environmental impact. A leaking oil tank can contaminate surface water and groundwater and the cost of investigating and clean up can run into thousands of pounds.”

In a bid to protect water resources, the Environment Agency, as part of the Government Agency Intelligence Network, requested that police ask victims of oil tank theft to contact its officers.

Shaun said: “This partnership approach is working well and both Lincolnshire and Leicestershire police forces are now asking victims of oil theft to contact us.

“Being able to act quickly is vital to stop oil pollution spreading and, potentially, reaching important underground water supplies. We would therefore urge people to contact us as quickly as possible if they think there is any risk of pollution as a result of oil theft. This will help to minimise the potential impact on the environment, the public and the homeowner.”

In addition to reporting suspected leaks as a result of theft, homeowners should also inspect their oil storage tanks regularly. Poorly maintained tanks are a common cause of pollution and spilled oil damages plants and wildlife and can make soil infertile, destroying habitats.

Homeowners should take the following action to ensure their oil tanks are safe for use.

• Site tanks as far away as possible from drains, streams and ponds.
• Inspect tanks, pipes and other equipment for leaks, damage and interference once a week.
• Check home insurance – loss of oil or pollution clean-up costs may not be covered.
• Always notify the Environment Agency and insurers immediately in the event of a spill or suspected spill.

In addition, when re-filling the tank, it is important the delivery is supervised and the amount of oil being used recorded. This means leaks can be identified quickly, minimising environmental damage and financial costs. Underground feed lines can leak and they can only be identified before major contamination occurs by checking there is no excessive use.

To report suspected pollution, contact the Environment Agency on its incident hotline: 0800 80 70 60.

About
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics the price of liquid fuel has increased by nearly 50% in the past year and because of this many home owners are being targeted for their heating oil.

Stop Oil Theft is dedicated to providing help, advice and products in protecting your heating oil in the hope that you do not become the latest victim.

heating and diesel oil theft
Theft of heating and diesel oil has been a problem for many years and the police have 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 costs of heating oil. This makes oil a more attractive proposition for thieves who are targeting fuel tanks at farms, transport depots and domestic properties. The thieves may be using the oil for their own central heating or selling it on at a handsome profit.

Tanks can contain many thousands of pounds worth of oil and it therefore makes good sense to take a few precautions to protect them. The purpose of this information is to give you a few ideas about what can be done to make life more difficult for thieves.

OFTEC or the ‘Oil Firing Technical Association for the petroleum industry’ 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/ or by calling 0845 6585 080. They also produce an ‘easy guide to domestic oil storage’.

SITTING YOUR OIL TANK

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.

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.

CONTROL SWITCHES

Control switches that control the flow of oil should be turned off and the electricity supply isolated when the tank is not in use.

PADLOCKS

A thief will usually come equipped with a limited range of tools to attack your tank so it’s 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 and the longer it will last.

OIL LEVEL GAUGES

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. Get into the habit of regularly checking oil levels so that you will know if you have lost any.

SECURITY LIGHTS

Security lights can have a very positive effect and make any property a much harder target to the thief. It’s 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 till dawn’ lights positioned close to the tank should, in most cases, provide sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity. This type of light can be both effective and inexpensive. High powered lights can be used but care should be taken not to cause any nuisance to neighbours or road users.

DEFENSIVE PLANTING

Defensive planting is nature’s way of helping to reduce 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. These shrubs can, if planted around your tank, provide an effective and decorative thief proof barrier. If you would like more information about defensive plants to protect your property contact your local community safety team on 0345 456 456 4.

SECURING YOUR OIL TANK

Following on from the defensive plant tactic, 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 or grill cage with a lockable access point across the top of this wall or fence can further improve security. The wall or fence should be as close to the tank and as high as possible. Of course a trellis could also be decorated with defensive planting. A product called ‘Tank Guard’ surrounds the existing storage tank with a metal enclosure. This sheet metal enclosure has lockable access doors to allow filling and maintenance and has internal anchorage points to fix it to the concrete base. A tank guard costs less than one tank full of oil and will last many years.

CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV)

The use of CCTV as 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.

The object of this information has been to illustrate ways in which we can make it more difficult for a thief to steal heating oil. Nothing mentioned here will make it impossible for them to achieve their goal, but if some of the suggestions made are followed it just may make a difference.

GETTING IN TOUCH

It is important to report any loss of fuel to the police or any attempt to steal.
Telephone:- 0345 456 456 4.

If it is an emergency dial 999. If you require any further information regarding any of the above, please contact your local community safety team on telephone number 0345 456 456 4.

CRIMESTOPPERS

To give information anonymously about any crime in your area telephone:- 0800 555 111.

ONLINE

Visit the Cambridgeshire Constabulary Website: http://www.cambs.police.uk/

Rebecca Parkin
Naighbourhood Officer
Linton Beat
Cambridgeshire Constabular

The Oildefender

The Oildefender has been developed to try and combat the increasing number of heating and fuel oil thefts from both domestic and commercial users. Thieves are targeting tanks that are located in rural or out of the way areas where they are unlikely to be caught.

Once theives have gained access to the tank the oil is either siphoned out or in some cases, the outlet pipe at the bottom of the tank is cut allowing it to be completely drained. This causes damage to the surrounding area by oil leaking into the ground and is costly to clean up as is the replacement of any lost oil and damaged pipe work.

Main Features

Tank Unit
Easy installation
Battery operated transmitter
Transmitter tamper sensor
Manual test function
Ranges from 100m; 300m; 1km
Alarm Control Unit

Easy installation
Can be linked into a burglar alarm system
Internal audible alarm sounder
Alarm disable feature for refilling the tank
External wired sounder
output

Products are currently assembled to order, and will be supplied within 28 days.

The Oildefender system works by detecting if the inspection cap of the tank is lifted or if the oil level within the tank drops faster than it would under normal conditions. A wireless device with a range of approximately 100metres is fitted at the tank and sends a signal back to a small panel, which is located within the property. The panel has an internal beeper which is activated in an alarm condition to alert the occupant that there is a problem. It also has the facilities to directly wire an external electronic sounder, link it into an existing burglar alarm system or switch on an external light if required when the panel is in the alarm condition.

The Oildefender system can be disabled via a key switch when the tank has to be refilled.

Case Study / Testimonial

“We were asked to install a burglar alarm system for one of our clients on their farm after attempts were made to steal machinery and diesel. The system worked fine, but unfortunately on another visit the thieves targeted the oil tanks and managed to get away with a large quantity of diesel.

We found the Oildefender website and purchased one on behalf of our customer. It was easy to install, easy to link into the burglar alarm system and has already proven itself by stopping another attempted theft of oil within days of being installed.”

AJR Electrical Services

“A burglar alarm system was installed at our farm buildings after a series of break-ins, and diesel was taken; subsequently an attempt was then made to take machinery. The system has since alerted us to further visits, and is now an essential part of our set-up. It has proved to be very useful, since it has been installed in our office and machinery shed, where important pieces of equipment and machinery are stored, essential to our business.
After having had a significant amount of oil stolen and only having recently restored these supplies an Oil Defender was purchased and fitted to our diesel tanks, storing fuel for tractors and other machinery and equipment; it was then linked into the burglar alarm system.

The alarm went off on a Sunday night and we discovered that another attempt had been made at taking diesel, but fortunately they only got enough to fill a can before the alarm detected the change in levels. We have not had any further break-ins since! The system was extremely efficient and alerted us by telephone very quickly once the change in level was detected by the sensor inside the tank. The Police were very impressed by this system and we would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for this type of security.

AJR Electrical Services have done a wonderful job for us in locating this product, and successfully installing the equipment.”

7 February 2011

Police in Holt are warning residents and businesses with oils tanks on their property to be vigilant following two thefts.

Thieves targeted oil tanks, located in the rear gardens, of properties along The Lane, Briston and Wickmere Road, Matlaske stealing approximately 900 litres of oil between Tuesday 4 January and Saturday 5 February.

Sgt Helen Howes said: “This is about people protecting one another. We will continue to work with the fuel companies and the public to push the message through that oil is an expensive commodity and everyone in the community needs to do their bit to prevent thefts.

We are always interested to hear from anyone who might have information about fuel thefts in their community”

Crime prevention advice offered by Norfolk Police includes:

Position your oil tank to allow maximum view from your property – this may discourage passing thieves.
Use control switches to stop the flow of oil when the tank is not in use.
Use good quality padlocks, close shackle are often best, to secure your tank.
Buy an oil level gauge which will sound an alarm if the oil level in your tank suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full.
Use security lights to make the property a less attractive target for thieves.
Defensive planting helps reduce crime – thieves don’t want to force their way through or over a prickly hedge.
Additional security; a wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can all offer additional protection, although the tank must be accessible for the oil tanker driver.

Anyone with information should contact the Holt Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0845 456 4567 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Theft of heating oil
Sometime between 12 - 19 August heating oil was stolen from a tank at a property in Bells Yew Green, Frant Serial 1812, 19/8/2011 refers

Everything is getting expensive. Can you afford to slack on security?

2011 looks like a year that is going to hit us hard in the pocket, what with VAT rising to 20%, Utility Bills rising by 30%, Fuel at an all time record high and Food and Commodity prices rising further still.

And on top of this when we do outlay the cash to keep our day to day lives going, there are always some criminal minded individuals (We shall call them Scum), looking for the free ride.

Valuable commodities such as Water, Heating Oil, Petrol & Diesel are now being targeted by thieves for their own personal gain at your expense

Here is a Top 10 List of actions you can take to limit the ease of theft:

Keep your Heating Oil Tank secure by fitting a Spinsecure Tank Lock
Guard against water theft with the Innovative Spinsecure Taplock
Avoid Fuel evaporation from your heating oil tank in summer by fitting a Tank Lock
Dig a moat round your house
Keep any Drums & Containers locked and out of sight
Hire the A-Team
Don’t lend the “Other Half” the car so they can’t bring it back with the Tank empty!
Buy a boat and declare the island in the middle of the local pond “Your Own” and bring in laws to say that theft is punishable by death!
Become a thief!
Subscribe to Guns & Ammo!

Joking apart, you really need to do all you can when it comes to security and here at Spinsecure we are here to help.

With a range of Unique and Innovative security solutions for Home, Garden & Business we have the product to fit.

Visit www.spinsecure.co.uk for more information.

What lengths have you gone to, to secure your commodities?

Please comment

Many Thanks

Heating oil tank Rising fuel prices are thought to have partly caused the increase in the number of oil thefts
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

Warning over heating oil thefts
Police warn on heating oil thefts

Victims of heating oil theft in Leicestershire and Lincolnshire are being urged to report the crime to the Environment Agency as well as police.

The agency said storage tanks were often damaged by thieves and could leak oil into any nearby water.

Cleaning up after a contamination of surface water or groundwater can cost thousands of pounds.

Heating oil thefts from rural areas across the UK have have risen by about 70% in recent months, police said.

Increasing fuel prices and the isolated positions of many properties are thought to be factors.

Police have advised residents to install tank locks and alarms, but the Environment Agency said the possible impact on water sources is often overlooked.

Agency spokesman Shaun Rowson said: “Being able to act quickly is vital to stop oil pollution spreading and, potentially, reaching important underground water supplies.

“We would therefore urge people to contact us as quickly as possible if they think there is any risk of pollution as a result of oil theft. This will help to minimise the potential impact on the environment, the public and the homeowner.”

WELSHPOOL Police are investigating the theft of approximately 500 litres of heating oil in the Arddleen area.

This theft has occurred some time over the last month.

Anyone with information or may know who is involved is asked to contact Welshpool Police on the non-emergency number 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Dyfed-Powys Police advise people with outside containers to be extra vigilant and ensure tanks are secured.

For additional information, contact the Crime Prevention Officer.

oil alarms

Thieves have targeted a church in Norwich, stealing a large amount of heating oil from an outside tank.

According to the Great Yarmouth Mercury, the oil was stolen from St Andrew and St Peter’s Church between Sunday and Wednesday of last week. In total, 1,200 litres of heating oil were stolen.

As well as taking the oil, the thieves caused damage to the door of a shed in the church grounds, which the newspaper noted will cost the church £50 to put right.

Many rural buildings such as churches rely on heating oil tanks for a power supply but often, their location can leave them vulnerable to thieves.

A Watchman device, which sounds an alarm when it detects a sudden drop in the level of oil in the tank, could therefore be a good buy. These can be purchased from local supplier Anmer Oils.

Local community support officer Paul McAllister is appealing for information about the incident.

http://www.emooil.co.uk/at-home/about/latest-news/05-2010/heating-oil-stolen-from-norwich-church.htm

Recently we have experienced an increase in diesel and oil thefts across Cambridgeshire. Investigations are ongoing and we have already had some successful results, in early August our force helicopter located four men who were arrested on suspicion of theft of diesel.

We wanted to give you some crime prevention advice about how to prevent you from becoming a victim of oil theft.

We have 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. This makes oil a more attractive proposition for thieves who are targeting fuel tanks at farms, transport depots and domestic properties. The thieves may be using the oil for their own central heating or selling it on at a handsome profit. Tanks can contain many thousands of pounds worth of oil and it therefore makes good sense to take a few precautions to protect them. The purpose of this information is to illustrate ways in which we can make it more difficult for a thief to steal heating oil. Nothing mentioned will make it impossible for a really determined thief to achieve their goal, but if some of the suggestions made are followed it just may make a difference.

For more information about how to prevent yourself becoming a victim, visit our website at www.cambs.police.uk where you can find out how to secure your oil tank, make it more difficult to access with defensive plants, use of CCTV and much more.

It is important to report any loss of fuel to the police or any attempt to steal. If you would like further information please contact us on 0345 456 456 4.

Your neighbourhood policing team.

The police in Norfolk have announced a workshop which will see representatives from the force give heating oil customers tips and hints on how to make sure their heating oil tank is safe from theft.

During the winter, homeowners often fill their tank as they will use more heating oil to heat their homes due to the drop in temperature, making many oil tanks a potential target for thieves.

Customers in Norfolk can get their heating oil from a number of reputable suppliers such as Emo Oil, CPL Petroleum and Black Cat Fuels, who can also supply monitoring equipment such as the Watchman device – a simply yet effective device which monitors oil levels sounding an alarm if the levels drop unexpectedly indicating a leak or theft.

On January 28th, a mobile police station will be visiting Aldborough in Norfolk and officers will give security advice for heating oil tanks.

Tips include making sure a heating oil tank is positioned in good view of a home and investing in a level monitor - such as a Watchman device.

Police in rural parts of Hampshire have joined forces with farmers and the rural community in an attempt to trace stolen heating fuel by “tagging” it.

They are working with the Farmwatch scheme in the Test Valley to introduce a liquid substance which can be added to fuel to “chemically tag” it.

If it is stolen it can then be traced back to its original owner.

During September, free bottles of the substance will be given out to the rural community.

Colder weather

The initiative comes after fuel thefts quadrupled in western Hampshire last winter, police said.

By adding just 100ml of the liquid to their oil tanks and putting stickers on them, farmers, rural residents and businesses can protect their fuel and deter thieves.

Seven premises in the Test Valley area have been targeted in August and police anticipate there could be an increase in thefts over the coming months as people fill up their heating fuel tanks ready for the colder weather.

Ruth Harper-Adams, from Test Valley Farmwatch, said: “Fuel theft from farmyards not only has a costly impact, it also creates other huge implications, such as delays in farming operations.

“It may also create an environmental problem where tank damage is a consequence.”

A 22-year-old man has been charged over the theft of heating oil from a house in County Down.

It was reported that oil had been stolen from a tank at a house on the Wreck Road in Annalong on Tuesday evening.

Police arrested four men and seized a vehicle and a number of drums of oil. Three of the men were released pending further enquiries.

The other man has been charged with theft and going equipped for theft.

He is to appear at Newry Magistrates Court at a later date.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8548853.stm

http://melbourncambridge.co.uk/safermelbourn/diesel-and-heating-oil-theft/

Diesel and heating oil theftRecently we have experienced an increase in diesel and oil thefts across Cambridgeshire. Investigations are ongoing and we have already had some successful results, in early August our force helicopter located four men who were arrested on suspicion of theft of diesel.

We wanted to give you some crime prevention advice about how to prevent you from becoming a victim of oil theft.

We have 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. This makes oil a more attractive proposition for thieves who are targeting fuel tanks at farms, transport depots and domestic properties. The thieves may be using the oil for their own central heating or selling it on at a handsome profit. Tanks can contain many thousands of pounds worth of oil and it therefore makes good sense to take a few precautions to protect them. The purpose of this information is to illustrate ways in which we can make it more difficult for a thief to steal heating oil. Nothing mentioned will make it impossible for a really determined thief to achieve their goal, but if some of the suggestions made are followed it just may make a difference.

For more information about how to prevent yourself becoming a victim, visit our website at www.cambs.police.uk where you can find out how to secure your oil tank, make it more difficult to access with defensive plants, use of CCTV and much more.

It is important to report any loss of fuel to the police or any attempt to steal. If you would like further information please contact us on 0345 456 456 4.

Your neighbourhood policing team.

mortgage bangor

Home Insurance
Building Insurance usually covers the structure of your home and any fixtures or fittings, garages, drive fences, out-buildings. Insurance cover includes the cost to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged .e.g fire, storm burst leaking pipes etc. Contents Insurance is cover for your household contents i.e. furniture, computers, curtains, kitchen equipment, clothing, TV computer equipment etc. It is the total value of everything that is in your home that you would take with you if you were to move.

North Wales Police are urging people to be vigilant following recent incidents whereby heating oil has been stolen on Anglesey.

Two incidents were reported to police last week and officers are keeping an open mind as to whether they are both linked.

The first incident was reported to officers on Friday 5th of March, whereby sometime between January and the 5th March, approximately 500 litres of oil was stolen from a tank outside a property in Tynygongl, Benllech.

The second incident was reported later on the same day whereby sometime between Friday 26th of February and Friday 5th of March, a large amount of oil was stolen from a tank outside a property in Bodorgan.

Officers are urging the public to report any suspicious activity, particularly any sightings of unmarked tankers or suspicious vehicles.

Advice:

■Fit a good quality close shackle padlock to the filler cap and drain tap
■Make access to the tank more difficult using fences, trellis, walls or defensive planting
■Position a security light which can make thefts more difficult
■Consider lockable metal enclosures to completely surround the tank
Anyone with information is asked to contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers Wales anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively send a text message to 66767 or email – northwalespolice@north-wales.police.uk
http://www.welshicons.org.uk/news/crime/theft-of-heating-oil-on-anglesey/

http://www.boilerjuice.com/blog/heating-oil-thefts-please-report_12/

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/84474/heating-oil-theft-warning-after-river-dee-pollution-scare.aspx

PEOPLE in Wrexham who use oil to heat their homes are being warned to be on their guard after the River Dee was polluted following a suspected theft.

Officers from Environment Agency Wales were called to a stream known as Foss Brook, near Bangor-on-Dee, last week after the leakage.

They were able to place booms across the water, preventing any significant damage to wildlife.

The incident is thought to have happened after a theft from a domestic heating oil tank.

Lee Rawlinson from Environment Agency Wales said: “There are many people who rely on oil for their heating but we are dealing with an average of one incident every week in Wales.

“We want householders to check their tanks for any leaks, see if their oil levels have dropped quickly or if it seems they are using a lot more than usual to get in touch with us. We can then arrange to visit and see how we can help stem the flow.

“It is not only the effect to the environment that is of concern, but the prospect of people being left without heating in this weather. Replacing lost oil is an expensive business so keeping that loss to a minimum is important.”

The Environment Agency Wales also says tanks, pipes and joints, particularly on older systems, are vulnerable following a long freeze and leaks can be common.

The organisation is now asking for people to:

Check pipe work and tanks for any leaks.
Check the tank regularly for a sudden drop in levels.
Keep an eye on the amount of oil used.

Domestic heating oil can kill plants, harm wildlife, pollute rivers and contaminate drinking water if it leaks.

If people discover a leak or have any information they can call 0800 80 70 60 and report it.

Dyfed Powys Police are advising residents to look after their heating oil following an increase in oil thefts in the area.

The rise in price of domestic heating oil over the previous months has led to an increase in oil theft particularly in the Crymych area.

Police are urging both households and businesses to take a few simple steps to prevent them becoming a victim of crime.

In an effort to try and reduce theft of heating oil, the following points may stop you from becoming a victim:-

Check oil levels on a regular basis
If you have a plastic tank, consider erecting fencing around the tank
If you have a steel tank, fit a quality anti-cut close-shackled padlock
Consider installing security lighting
Dyfed Powys Police are urging anyone with information of people going out with drums and pipes to steal fuel to please contact their local police station via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/news/2010/3/9/

In a Scrooge-like post-holiday maneuver, a burglar stole 275 gallons of heating oil from the Fayette County Humane Society in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The local press, which dubbed the act a “cold-hearted crime,” said the thief took what amounts to roughly $500 worth of oil, leaving some 30 dogs and cats in chilly 50-degree surroundings, down from the shelter’s standard of 65 degrees.

Sadly, this crime is not entirely unique. Early last month an elderly North Carolina woman was robbed of her home heating oil when someone emptied her 200-gallon tank. And, in September 2009, another heating oil theft took place in Central Pennsylvania. Though heating oil theft is not commonplace, the soaring price of crude has caused an uptick in the crime, which, before 2008, was nearly nonexistent. For more on heating oil crimes, see our report on the trend.

Heating oil theft foiled

Spaldwick is a small village in England, with a little over 500 residents, “a service station, a school, a church, a beauty salon and a pub.” That doesn’t mean it’s free of troubles, though. Local constables recently arrested four people for the theft of domestic heating oil, and are now holding them in the police station of the nearby town of Huntingdon.

But they couldn’t have done it without the help of their trusted police dog, Guinness. A burglary was reported just before 4:00 am, and while officers searched the area—finding two of the suspected culprits in a van—Guinness picked up a scent and led his handler some five miles away to the village of Brington, where the final two suspects were caught. Town & Crier, a local newspaper, reported Guinness’ triumph on Friday.

In sum, three men and one woman were arrested and two vans, replete with oil tanks and pumps, were seized.

Perhaps Guinness heard of the heating oil theft that occurred at an animal shelter in Pennsylvania this January, which subjected already vulnerable cats and dogs to chilly temperatures, and took a special interest in this crime. Unfortunately, that shelter in Pennsylvania did not have a valiant police dog such as Guinness to find the perpetrator.

So whether you prefer the adult beverage or the defender of justice, heating oil users have another reason to say, “Guinness is good for you.”

WelshIcons

Police in Neath Port Talbot are issuing a warning to lorry drivers following a number of recent fuel thefts.

Thousands of litres of diesel has been stolen from lorries parked up in various lay-bys along the A465 between Hirwaun and Llandarcy.

The latest incident was reported at the weekend when 500 litres of diesel were siphoned from a heavy goods vehicle parked up alongside the northbound dual carriageway near Neath Abbey.

Police have stepped up patrols of the area and will be visiting the lay-bys during early evening to warn drivers about the risk of fuel theft.

Detective Inspector Dave Wright of Neath Port Talbot Police said: “We estimate that around 10,000 litres of diesel has been stolen from lorries parked up along the A465 in the past six months.

“These thefts are costing the transport companies thousands of pounds not only in lost fuel but in some cases, damage to their vehicles as well.

“This stolen diesel is inevitably being sold illegally so these crimes are fuelling criminal activity as well. We will not only target the fuel thieves but also anyone involved in the handling or sale of the fuel.”

Crime prevention surveys have been carried out at the sites and signs have been put up in the lay-bys as well as on the M4 matrix signs to warn drivers.

Patrols have been stepped up and police will be mounting high visibility and covert operations to catch and deter those responsible.

Detective Inspector Wright added: “People should be very suspicious of anyone who is selling diesel at cheaper rates and should contact police with any information they may have about the illegal sale of fuel.

“I would ask anyone who knows who is responsible for these thefts or involved in the handling of the stolen diesel to contact us.”

Vehicle owners and hauliers are urged to be aware of these recent thefts and are asked to follow these crime prevention tips:

Always use a locking petrol cap
Always try to park your vehicles in a lit area
Always secure your vehicles overnight, either in a secure business premise lock-up or a residential garage.
Of possible, do not leave your vehicle fully fuelled overnight.
Anyone with information should contact Neath Police Station on 01639 634300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Why You Should Keep An Eye On Your Heating Oil Tank
Written by bmlengel on May 30th, 2010
It is easy to forget about your heating oil tank once you have filled it up. Your home is warm and this is one less thing to worry about. But you could find that if you do not keep an eye on your heating oil tank, that you could end up with a lot of problems. You do not have to be going out to check it ten times a day but a regular check can be worthwhile and some of the reasons why are below.

The first reason is that not knowing how much oil in your tank can mean running out at the most inconvenient time. This could be disastrous if it were to happen when the weather was really cold. If you have to order an emergency deliver of heating oil, it could work out quite expensive for you. It may also not be possible if the weather is particularly bad. If you ended up spending any length of time in a house that was freezing cold, you would not like it so that is why you should check your heating oil tank regularly.

And did you even know that there are an increasing number of thefts of heating oil? So this is another reason why it is a good idea to be checking your heating oil tank frequently. You could be having your oil stolen from right under your nose and you don’t even realise it. Frequent checks of your tank will alert you to the fact that something odd is going on and you can increase your security.

Not only theft is responsible for the loss of heating oil. Having this fuel leak out is not only going to end up causing a loss of money but it can also be very dangerous. Oil is a pollutant and if you notice a leak you should get the professionals involved as soon as possible. Checking your tank regularly is the only way to know immediately if you have an oil leak. If you want to spare yourself any of these problems you should take the time to check your tank frequently.

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Getting the home heated up during winter can be very expensive. Electricity and gas prices are very high and show no signs of coming down any time soon. Clever people are switching to heating oil as a fuel though. After the changeover they have to make sure that the storage tanks are always full of the cheapest heating oil ensuring they can always heat their home in winter. Heating oil suppliersmake sure the nations oil tanks stay full. These suppliers can be found all over the country, and, for example, will supply heating oil Penzance.

VILLAGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
East Norton Neighbourhood Watch
Oil Theft Alert 21/05/10

http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/eastnorton/

During the last 2 weeks there have been several reports of theft of heating oil from household storage tanks in the more remote rural parts of our area. Most of these thefts have occurred close to the Rutland Border but the thieves will be capable of travelling anywhere across Harborough District.

As fuel prices increase the risk of these kind of thefts also rises - as such Harborough Police would urge all our residents to review the security of their oil tanks. Below are a few tips which may help:-

. Consider the natural surveillance of your oil tank and cut back any shrubs or foliage which may offer the thief cover from view.

. Consider placing barriers between the thief and your oil tank such as lockable gates and fences.

. Consider fitting an oil tank alarm - these are widely available from many different suppliers - here are a few websites which explain how they work:-