Heating oil thefts in rural areas across the UK have risen by about 70% in recent months, according to Police warnings.
Increasing fuel prices and the isolated location of many properties are thought to be factors. More than 1.5m homes across the UK, mostly in rural areas, are dependent on heating oil.
How can you combat theft from fuel tanks at a sensible cost?
Rural Property Watch offers a fuel loss detection system and tank alarms which alerts your mobile phone via SMS text message of a sudden loss, alerting you to the fact that someone is stealing your oil, or that the tank has ruptured.
The system can also be linked to a high-pitched alarm to deter thieves from remaining on site.
It should be borne in mind that, whilst thieves may only just steal only a fraction of what’s in your tank, the hole in your tank may well continue to leak once they have departed so, not only do you suffer a complete loss, but the proper environmental pollution clean-up costs may be significant.
Whilst Police have advised residents to install tank locks and alarms, the Environment Agency said the possible impact on water sources is very often overlooked.
Environment Agency spokesman Shaun Rowson said: “Being able to act quickly is vital to stop oil pollution spreading and, potentially, reaching important underground water supplies.”
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.
“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.” Mr Rowson added.
The Rural Property Watch system gives you immediate warning of a problem.
Rural Property Watch also offers a commercial version of this system, linked to a 24 hour Control Room and capable of monitoring large fuel oil tanks. They also offer mobile security patrols and key holder services.
Rural Property Watch can also supply heating oil tank locks and wireless alarm systems.
Visit www.ruralpropertywatch.co.uk for further details.
