Grandmother hits out at oil tank thieves

10/01/2009

A grandmother has described thieves who stole oil from her daughter's home oil tank as "mindless thugs". The woman, who asked not to be named, said her daughter's family, were left with a freezing house after thieves emptied the oil tank. A number of other houses in the area were also targeted by the thieves. The woman also said, "I wish the people who did this nothing but bad luck and bad fortune… The people who steal oil from oil tanks are just mindless and ignorant."

This is just one example from the news of the rising increase of domestic oil tanks being targeted by thieves. As the price of oil rockets, by 84% in one year, it seems that thieves have realised the value of oil. Tim Price from NFU Mutual was quoted saying, “It’s a new crime…thieves will steal anything valuable”. The most commonly targeted areas seem to be those that are more rural, where the oil storage tanks are more visible and accessible. Since 2003 the number of reported incidents of thefts from domestic oil tanks has increased by 264%.

There are many different types of oil tanks available at heatandplumb.com. We have Balmoral Oil Tanks, Titan Oil Tanks, Harlequin Oil Tanks and QSS Oil Tanks all of which can supply the following types of tanks.

• Bunded oil tanks
• Slimline oil tanks
• Single Skin oil tanks
• Low Level Oil Tanks

Although there are no conclusive ways of stopping the theft of oil from oil tanks, however, there are methods to help prevent the theft of oil from domestic oil tanks. Some of the ways that make this possible are by having an alarm or motion sensor fitted. CCTV cameras installed to monitor the property. Or there are simpler ways, although they may not be as secure, such as a padlock and chain or fencing and plants around the oil tank.