Alarm could 'stop home heating oil thieves'

15 April 2008

A new alarm device could be enough to stop home heating oil thieves in their tracks.

Police Constable Pat Bailey from Norfolk's police crime prevention unit is urging homeowners to buy an inexpensive infrared alarm that will alert them of someone on their drive, the Great Yarmouth Mercury reports.

Costing £20, the alarm will not provide any profit for its makers but it may just quell the spate of home heating oil thefts.

The police in the area have found that criminals are now also targeting garden oil tanks, not just large oil tanks on farms.

PC bailey blamed oil price hikes for the rise in crime, saying: "I have got oil heating at home and the 500 litres I have just had delivered cost £273, compared to £215 just before Christmas."

Since January there have been 50 reported home heating oil thefts across Norfolk, with Breckland being the worst-hit area.

Oil prices hit a new record high last week of $112.21 (€70.70) a barrel.

Click here for more information on reducing the cost of home heating oil.