The following crime prevention advice is being circulated after reports in the Bradwell area over the night of the 1st and 2nd May, whereby Heat Oil tanks were interfered with.  

Heating Oil Theft
The price of fuel at the petrol pump inevitably leads to a rise in the cost heating oil. This makes oil a more attractive proposition for the thief, and they are no actively targeting fuel tanks at farms, transport deports and domestic properties.

Location:
New or replacement tanks should be carefully sited. Any position is likely to be a compromise but try to site the tank so that is visible from roads and other access routes as possible whilst still being accessible for deliveries.

Access:
Make access to the tank as difficult as possible. Defensive planting – a barrier of prickly shrubs or a wall of trellis work covered with thorny climbing plants can an effective deterrent and will also make the tank less obvious. Substantial fencing or walling can give significant protection to a tank. Both should be used with a metal grill or cage across the top and with lockable access points.

Security:
Inspection and supply caps can be replaced with licking versions or made more secure using a bar fastened with shackle padlocks. This should only be done once other measures to protect the and oil supply are in place. Use good quality locks to deter the thief who may come equipped with limited range of tools and deny thieves the use of your own and your neighbours garden tools by ensuring that these are safely locked away.

Gauges and alarms:
Consider using a low-cost battery-operated driveway alert alarm. These consist of a battery-operated movement sensor connected wirelessly to a chime alert in the house. They may require careful positioning to avoid false activation (e.g. by passing animals.
A more specialised alarm is the type developed from the wireless oil level gauge linked to a display in the house. Several manufactures now offer a version that sounds an audible alarm if the oil level suddenly drops or falls below a certain point. More sophisticated tank alarms are available that can be linked to a spare zone a domestic alarm system, and some can be programmed to send an alert to mobile phone. A spare alarm zone can also be used to connect an external beam system which can be placed to protect a specific area.

Lighting:  
Many offences occur overnight so install security lighting to protect the area around the tank. Provided the tank is overlooked, use ‘Dusk to Dawn’ lighting provide continuous night time illumination. This should use low energy light bulbs to provide a lower level of ambient lighting which is all that is required to illuminate any suspicious activity. Movement activated lighting ‘PIR’ is less useful as a deterrent and, being brighter often needs careful positioning to avoid being a nuisance.

CCTV: 
CCTV can be effective but only if property specified and correctly installed, which will require specialist advice. CCTV use should be advertised with appropriate signage.

Safety:
There may be safety considerations to be taken into account when installing a tank or adding security measures. (e.g. vents must not be blocked) Always clarify regulations that may apply before doing any installation or work. 
Ensure that you regularly check the oil level in the tank to ensure that smaller amounts are not being siphoned off which may be a prelude to a bigger theft. 

Please report any suspicious activity to police by the following contact methods;

•    Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: use our online contact form 
•    Facebook – send us private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page 
•    Phone – call us on 101