Prevent oil thefts

Make sure the lid of the tank is locked with a suitable padlock, and consider fitting sensor lights to brighten up dark areas around your home, particularly areas around the oil tank. Try to limit access to the tank by keeping gates closed and locked making life more difficult for those who engage in this type of crime.

To minimise the risk of loss, consider ordering smaller amounts more often and fitting devices that monitor fuel use, and which are designed to alert householders when oil consumption rises suddenly or when the oil has been stolen.

Police would also advise that people calculate how much oil they use and to establish how long a fill of oil should last. Remember to keep a record of your latest delivery and don’t forget to check the oil level regularly so that if a theft occurs you will know when it happened and how much was taken.

Don’t forget that in colder weather heating may be on longer than normal and may be using more oil than you realise. Similarly when the weather turns milder you may use less oil, so don’t forget to take such matters into consideration.

Anyone who wants further advice on this matter can contact their local Crime Prevention Officer on 0845 600 8000 or find out more on the PSNI website.