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THEFT OF FUEL - RECENT REPORTINGS Unfortunately the recent horrible weather and saturated fields have not prevented thefts of fuel. We've had recent break-ins and fuel thefts in the Crossways area and also on the Arne. In the Crossways incident over 600ltrs was stolen with a value of £900. The Arne break-in involved not only fuel but also tools and cabling etc. This was a serious loss of items and fuel amounting to over £16k. It is a common perception amongst Police Officers that many criminals actually prefer wet&windy nights. Householders and security staff may be tempted to right-off noises etc as ‘its only the wind’. Best advice, as with a barking dog, is ALWAYS check out any strange noises. Better safe than sorry. HOW TO PREVENT FUEL THEFTS - TOP TIPS 1. Keep it locked up
Locking down a tank with a secure cap or hardened hoses is always worth doing. However, some thieves use pumping systems to extract fuel, it’s almost certain that these individuals will turn up with equipment to cut their way through basic locks. Always invest in a good-quality lock but this shouldn’t be your only line of defence. 2. Invest in good lighting
Most criminals use the cover of darkness to commit thefts so preventing this with a quality lighting system can go a long way to tackling fuel theft. Tanks could be covered with their own lights and a motion-activated system. 3. Employ CCTV
As we all know petrol stations use CCTV to catch individuals who drive off without paying. These provide evidence for police and also help dissuade other motorists from committing the offence. A similar setup in your rural premises could have the same effect. 4. Fence it off
Keep your oil tanks close to your farmhouse, or work premises so you can see any movement around the tanks with ease. This will also act as a deterrent as criminals prefer remote tanks to avoid being spotted. This may not always be practical, so installing fences and locked gates can work effectively.
Ideally make the fence as high as possible. Also consider a natural solution. Plant shrubs or prickly thorns around your tank. Modern forensics mean that a thief forcing his way through a bush may leave evidence of their visit. Clambering through spiky foliage is not fun and may deter most thieves! 5. Be notified
Alarms are useful to prevent access to property and might be a valuable asset if your tank is stored in a barn or outbuilding. Consider using an electronic level gauge to monitor the amount of oil or fuel you have in your tank at all times. You will then be alerted if the figures don’t add up.
If the system detects a sudden drop in fuel – it will send out an alert such as a text message. 6. Keep a regular record of fuel usage
Conducting a regular audit of fuel levels and consumption can help with forecasting and identifying how much fuel is generally required month to month and can help identify sudden drops or incidents of tampering. This also means that fuel thefts can be discovered almost immediately after they occur. Rural fuel theft is a serious issue and one which can seriously impact your business. This is especially true for farms which have been the victim before as criminals are more likely to try again if they’ve been successful. Investing in quality insurance should also be a must.
Unfortunately there is no fool-proof way to prevent you becoming the victim of fuel theft but these measures should help make you a harder target. As always if want further advice on protecting your fuel please contact the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team.
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