Victims of heating oil theft are being advised they should report the crime to the environmental agency in addition to reporting it to the police. If the thief damages the oil tank, the remaining oil could leak into nearby water and cause contamination. Cleaning up these spills can cost thousands of pounds.
With the rise in the oil price and consequent rise in heating oil prices, the number of thefts of heating oil have risen dramatically. Installing a tank lock and securing your oil tank can help but the determined thief is going to drill into the tank leaving you with a leaking oil tank and an environmental problem.
Shaun Rowson, an environmental agency spokesman said, “Being able to act quickly is vital to stop oil pollution spreading and potentially reaching important underground water supplies.”
If you have had your oil stolen and you think the oil tank has been damaged then you are advised to call the environmental agency as soon as possible.
