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Residential Heating and Diesel Oil Theft

Fuel theft is a significant and wide-ranging crime problem that affects many different areas, people and businesses across the UK, including farming, motorists, homeowners, the construction industry (including the marine construction sector) and suppliers. The impact of this type of theft on people and the economy is exacerbated during periods of inflated oil prices, as tanks often hold thousands of pounds worth of oil.

Our advice offers best practice for you to follow, alongside practical crime prevention methods and includes links to Secured by Design member companies that can offer products designed to reduce the risk of fuel theft. These products have been tested and certified to meet the exacting standards you would expect from the products meeting the preferred police specification.

There has also been a run of cooking oil theft in some communities, to read more on how to reduce your risk of this crime, check out our 'Theft of cooking oil' advice.

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How to Secure Your Fuel

There are a number of steps that you can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to fuel theft.

These include:

Siting Your Oil Tank

It is imperative that fire safety guidelines are followed for tank placement. Where possible locate the tank where it can be viewed from a habitable building and where increased natural surveillance can be maximised, such as in sight of a house or offices, especially the security office of a construction site if it is occupied during the night. Fuel tanks located away from buildings or dwellings are more vulnerable if they cannot be seen by occupants or staff, especially if vehicular access is not restricted.

Padlocks

Where gates are secured by a weatherproof padlock or a similar locking mechanism, ensure that it meets a Secured by Design (SBD) approved standard. Where compounds, gates and other features are secured by locks that require keys, ensure that there are adequate key control measures in place to prevent uncontrolled key removal, substitution of the lock itself or copying of such keys.

Bollards

In locations where vehicle access to the oil tank is feasible, it is advisable to implement retractable bollards to prevent unauthorised entry. If applicable and if governed by regulation of fire safety guidance, that the Fire and Rescue Service possesses a key (specific key types have been locally agreed upon for this purpose).

Screening

There may be instances where it is more suitable to screen the tank. Hiding your tank diminishes the likelihood of it being targeted and lessens the risk from casual or more focused observation methods employed to locate a tank for theft. Screening methods, such as building a false wall, adding protective covers, creating natural barriers, or planting defensive shrubs, can obscure the tank from view while still allowing for maintenance access.

Oil Level Gauges

Remote electronic oil level gauges are now available which will set off an audible alarm if the oil level in the tank suddenly falls below a defined level. These gauges can be fitted in the kitchen or utility room to warn you of any potential problem. Where fuel tanks are in remote locations, we recommend that they be housed in a secure alarmed steel container. Get into the habit of regularly checking oil levels so that you will know if you have lost any.

Control Switches

Control switches that control the flow of oil should be turned off and the electricity supply isolated when the
tank is not in use.

Security Lights

Install security lighting to illuminate any suspicious activity and, if you have CCTV installed, the lighting scheme should be designed to complement it and not create shadows or glare which can inhibit or restrict the images being captured.

Securing Your Oil Tank

Consider the introduction of perimeter fencing and associated gates to reduce vulnerabilities. They should be as close to the tank and as high as possible. A wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can give significant protection, but remember you will require access to allow filling and maintenance. Metal or grill cages that surround the existing storage tank can further improve security. These enclosures have lockable access doors and internal anchorage points to allow fixing to a concrete base.

CCTV

The use of Video Surveillance Systems such as CCTV as crime prevention have a part to play in the protection of oil tanks. Ensure that any installed CCTV is not blocked, or its coverage is restricted by the parking of vehicles in the sight lines of the camera. Landscaping or vegetation which could restrict the coverage of these cameras during the growing seasons must be maintained and cut back to ensure unimpeded coverage.

Commercial & Advanced Security

For commercial tanks, fuel management systems can monitor fuel dispensing, regulating access through PINs or electronic keys, and offering comprehensive consumption data. These systems are instrumental in deterring both theft and misuse.

Police Preferred Specification products to help prevent Fuel Theft

Always be vigilant - report sightings of suspicious activity in any fields, farmyards and construction sites to the police and rural crime teams.

Use the 101 number for passing information, or 999 in an emergency when a crime is taking place