| CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE ON HEATING OIL PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HEATING OIL TANKS ARE SECURE AND REGULARLY CHECKED Important information In the last week reported theft of heating oil has increased in the rural. We ask for everyone to remain vigilant at all times and to report any suspicious activity or noise. If you hear an unexplained noise or a vehicle, or you think someone is outside your property causing damage or stealing your property call 999 it may be possible that a police unit may be just around the corner, patrol vehicles are regularly carrying out stop checks during the night. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HEATING OIL TANKS ARE SECURE AND REGULARLY CHECKED – there has been an increase in heating oil thefts in the area. Please do not hesitate to make contact with us if you require any crime prevention advice. Fuel gauge ~ Consider buying an electronic tank gauge, which can be read from inside your home. These devices send a alarm or signal to the gauge which plugs into a socket in the house i.e. a kitchen or utility room. It will not only indicate that the tank needs refilling, but will also set off an alarm should there be a sudden drop in the oil level caused by a leak or theft. Securing access ~ restricting access to the tank in the first instance is very important, make sure your boundary walls and fences are up to the job and lock driveway access gates at night or when you are out during the day. Securing Tank ~ Consider enclosing your tank within a locked building and making sure your tank is well ventilated. Or build a good strong fence, cage or trellis around your tank, this will make it more difficult for a thieve to gain access. Planting prickly plants may do the trick as the offender may leave some DNA. Regular checks ~ check the tank gauge regularly to alert you to any sudden drop in oil level which may indicate a theft. This action might also help the police in any subsequent investigation by narrowing down the times of the offence. Padlocks ~ always invest in a good quality lock, close shackle padlocks are the best as they offer most resistance to thieves due to their design, close shackle padlocks have a very little metal hoop (shackle) this making it more difficult to get bolt croppers in between. Alarmed padlocks are also a good purchase as this will sound an alarm when tampered with. Suspicious Activity ~ when you have a oil delivery please pay attention to any suspicious vehicle/s or person/s in the area, as it seems that heating oil is nearly always stolen shortly after delivery, when the tank is near to full. Please report to the police on 101. CCTV ~ Consider installing good CCTV if possibly with night vision Suspicious Activity ~ when you have a oil delivery please pay attention to any suspicious vehicle/s or person/s in the area, as it seems that heating oil is nearly always stolen shortly after delivery, when the tank is near to full. Please report to the police on 101. Suspicious Activity ~ please report to the police on 101 or if a crime is taking place call 999. | 
