Homeowners and businesses are being warned to be on guard as rising fuel prices has meant an increase in the theft of domestic heating oil and Bio-Fuels.  Many people keep their storage tanks topped up during the autumn and winter so the risk of theft is increased. Several recent incidents from a variety of areas in Scotland have seen thieves target quiet, rural communities, siphoning fuel from oil storage tanks outside people’s homes and fuelling yards, leaving them with little or no fuel. Most victims have been completely unaware that anything was wrong until their heating stopped working because they had run out of oil.

To help protect your fuel supply please consider the following precautions to minimise the chances of fuel theft

.   Make sure your oil tank is not visible for the road – fences, trellising, trees or hedging can be used to disguise the tank, although remember your delivery driver will need to gain access to your tank. Make sure any screening should be a minimum distance away from the tank so it doesn’t cause a fire hazard. If you are storing Bio Fuels for conversion ensure the substance is secured away from occupied buildings under lock and key.

·   If you have a drive/entrance with gates, keeping them closed and locked may also act as a deterrent.

·  Check the fuel levels regularly to make sure that none has gone missing.

·  Lock the tank. Most tanks can be locked at the inspection cover or a lockable filler cap can be fitted to existing oil tanks.

·   Install automatic movement sensor security lighting around the tank.

·  Consider installing a CCTV system – placing a visible camera on your property may act as a deterrent.

·  Consider having an alarm system fitted to the tank which will warn if oil levels drop suddenly. This could also be useful if an oil leak occurs.

·  Be vigilant following a delivery – some fuel distributors have reported that their delivery vehicles have been followed in the past. Thieves may also return to steal replacement oil following an initial theft. If you are securing used oil awaiting uplift from a reputable company ensure you know when they will be attending to uplift and that the driver has the proper paper work. If you have any doubts contact the company directly and confirm the uplift.  Use a telephone number from the telephone book or other reputable source and not just the number given to you from the driver or his work mate.

.  Report any suspicious activity to the police by dialling 101 for non emergency calls and 999 for all other emergencies.Theft of heating oil tends to be a rural problem but not in all cases. The majority of those homes do not have access to mains gas and rely on alternative forms of heating such as oil. When fuel prices rise heating oil becomes a lucrative commodity for thieves, with both homes and businesses being targeted.