Spate of oil theft sparks homeowner fears

29th January 2008

~ BoilerJuice warns of thieves targeting oil-powered homes in rural areas ~

Concern is growing about a home heating oil theft epidemic, according to BoilerJuice. The company, which provides a cost-effective way to buy domestic heating oil online, believes that criminals are exploiting the rising cost of oil.

BoilerJuice has reported a rise in enquiries about tank locks and other security equipment, though these are currently unavailable in the UK. Consumers are growing more and more fearful of potential heating-oil thieves, who siphon oil from tanks and sell it on at a discounted price.

The Norfolk Police Force is investigating 36 reported cases of oil theft throughout the county since January 1, 2008, furthering fears that the rising cost of oil is causing increased incidents. Other incidents have occurred in rural areas across the UK.

³Our users are increasingly worried about the prospect of theft, but the tank locks they need aren¹t even on the UK market,² said Paul Ward, director at BoilerJuice.

According to Ward, thieves are likely to target houses in rural areas, where owners might not consider exterior security. ³With the cost of oil topping $100 per barrel, a typical domestic tank full of heating oil can be worth up to £700, he continued. ³So the motivation for thieves to target oil users is clear. Burglars are no longer after antiques or fancy electrical equipment - they can get what they need in the back garden.²

BoilerJuice has devised some tips to help consumers protect themselves against oil theft:

* Screen the tank with fencing, trellis or a hedge
* Cover any external pipe work/fuel lines from the house to the tank
* Install motion sensor security lighting
* Restrict easy access to the tank ­ thieves will want to get as close as
possible with a vehicle, so make their life harder with a gate or fence
* Regularly check the fuel level so you can tell quickly if the level
suddenly drops
* Join a neighbourhood watch scheme ­ telephone police if you see any
suspicious vehicles close to properties
* Check your oil is covered under your household contents insurance

Victims of oil theft should report incidents to their local police force, and alert other home oil users via the BoilerJuice¹s blog: http://www.boilerjuice.com/blog.php