Homes with oil central heating become new target for thieves

Homeowners using oil central heating should be wary of theft, police have warned.  There has been an alarming increase in the number of oil heating thefts all over the UK, especially as fuel prices have leapt up in price.

Many domestic tanks can hold up to £1000 worth of fuel, making them a lucrative target.  On a number of occasions the oil has been stolen because thieves have followed tankers to their delivery destinations, and emptied the replenished tanks.  There are more than 15,000 homes in the UK which use oil central heating, and most of these are in rural areas, where gas supplies are limited.

The Police are urging homeowners and businesses to secure their oil tanks, especially as so many are well disguised with shrubs and fences that thieves could strike undetected.

Some oil companies have trained their drivers to combat hijackers in a bid to stamp out the oil theft which has spread from commercial to domestic properties. 

Homeowners who use oil central heating are advised to check the oil levels in their tanks and be vigilant if it appears their consumption rate has increased significantly, and their contents decreased.  Fitting an oil tank sensor is recommended, as well as restricting vehicular access to the vicinity of the tank.

PH Jones Ltd specialises in oil fired central heating installation and oil fired central heating repairs and provides an exclusive oil maintenance package to maximise the lifecycle and efficiency of oil central heating systems. For further information please visit our ‘Serviceplan’ website area or complete the online enquiry form.

If you have an enquiry related to this news story, please complete the online enquiry form.