There have been two incidents reported recently of large quantities of oil being stolen from outdoor tankers.

Similar offences can include; Theft of Fuel from vehicles, Theft of Fuel from tanks, Theft of Oil from generators and substations.

Liquid is stolen by the use of siphoning equipment which can vary from basic plastic tubes to more sophisticated arrangements involving pumps, or the cutting of fuel lines.

Rural police are keen to target offenders for this type of crime and urge all victims to report the crime to police. We need all offences to be reported so that we can carry out full investigations.

Crime prevention advice for this type of crime include

Secure all vehicles in garage where possible Consider the use of locking fuel caps Re-fuel vehicle just before the planned journey rather leaving vehicles fully fuelled overnight Park vehicles in a well lit area Use secure parking areas Use alarms on either the vehicles or the storage area Improve lighting and focus on vulnerable areas Fit anti-siphoning devices Install or check CCTV is fit for purpose (does it record in the dark? how long is the memory? what is it looking at?), train a camera a vulnerable vehicles Install cages and-or improve security surrounding fuel storage tanks Consider using bunded fuel tanks Consider using fuel dyes Use defensive parking techniques, park with solid objects fuel tank side, block vehicles in Consider fuel cap alarms Lock and secure gates and compounds, consider anti attack covers for locks Do not leave keys in or near vehicles Check vehicles and tanks outside normal hours Portable re-fuelling systems should be locked in secure areas not left in fields or yards Consider housing fuel tanks which can then be alarmed and secured

For further crime prevention advice please see www.warwickshire.police.uk www.safer-neighbourhoods.co.uk