Rural areas targeted by heating oil thieves

25 February 2008

Homeowners living in isolated areas have been warned to remain vigilant, following the latest spate of heating oil thefts.

While last week, households in Northern Ireland were targeted by heating oil thieves, rural areas in Devon, UK, have also fallen victim to the crime, thisisexeter.co.uk reports.

Detectives in Northern Ireland have suggested that rising oil prices may have led to the attacks.

Local police officers in Devon have suggested that those living in remote areas should protect their oil tanks with security lighting and other features, as the last incident in Devon - which took place during the night of Saturday 16th February - was interrupted by security lights.

Four homes have been targeted altogether over the last three months by the criminals, police stated, with thousands of litres of heating oil being acquired by the thieves.

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