Boatwatch Alert
24 June 2010
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Be aware of the following crime prevention points where fuels are stored:
Theft of heating and diesel oil has been a problem for many years and the police have always noticed an increase in this type of crime whenever the price of crude oil rises. A rise in the price of fuel at the petrol pump inevitably leads to a rise in the cost of heating oil. Thieves will actively target fuel tanks at farms, transport depots and domestic properties and also marinas and boat yards.
The position of the tank can have a significant effect on how hard a target it is in the eyes of the thief. If the tank is close to a building the thief may well consider the chances of being seen too high. If the tank is close to a road, path, drove or alleyway then it will be a far easier target.
A good thief will come equipped with a limited range of tools to attack a fuel tank so it is worth spending a little more on good quality locks. Close shackle padlocks are the best as they offer most resistance to the most popular of burglary tools - the bolt cropper. Due to their design, close shackle padlocks have very little of the metal hoop (shackle) exposed and bolt croppers cannot get a good grip.
Remote electronic oil level gauges are now available which will set off an audible alarm if the oil level in the tank suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full. These gauges could be located in a room adjacent to the tank to warn of any potential problem and operate up to 200m away from the oil tank.
Thieves need vehicles to transport fuel away from a site, and invariably use transit vans that have been adapted for the task. Please keep eyes and ears open when out and about in your yard or in a boating environment