Warning after oil theft from children's unit in Whitehead

Police are reminding people to secure their oil tanks following the theft of heating oil from a children's respite unit in Whitehead.
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Archive image.

A post on the PSNI Carrickfergus Facebook page read: "As the price of crude oil rises, fuel oil tanks can be seen as rich and easy pickings by thieves. This means that farms, transport depots and domestic properties can be targeted, particularly in more rural locations.

"There was recently a home heating oil theft from a respite home offering temporary accommodation for kids in Whitehead. If you have any information about this please contact us on 101 quoting 1034 dated 2/1/18."

Police advised a number of precautions to help protect oil:

- Lock gates - Disguise your tank- Create obstacles - Limit the quantity of fuel in your tank - Lock your tank - Fit a level gauge with an audible alarm - Consider installing security lighting and CCTV.

"Above all report any suspicious behaviour to local police on 101," a PSNI spokesperson added. "It takes a pretty big tanker to steal home heating oil. If you don’t recognise the company, think your neighbours aren’t in or more importantly know they had an oil delivery recently, then phone us straight away. We all work hard to heat our homes, please work with us to stop these crimes."