Police investigating heating oil thefts across South Lakeland (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Police investigating heating oil thefts across South Lakeland

4:45pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News

Police are appealing for help from the public to tackle a series of heating oil thefts in the south of the county.

Since January 2012, six heating oil thefts have been reported to police from rural areas of South Cumbria from Chapel Stile to Milnthorpe. Officers have found that thieves are mostly travelling to properties in isolated and rural areas to steal heating oil from storage containers.

Due to the locations of the thefts and the amount of oil stolen, police believe the offenders must be using vehicles that contain large storage tanks, or many smaller containers. Inspector Rob Lampard from South Cumbria Police said: “We are investigating six reported heating oil thefts and we are appealing for help from the public to trace whoever is responsible.

“We are appealing for people to be vigilant – especially those who live in rural or isolated areas. Check your fuel supplies on a regular basis and secure the cap of the tank so that any disturbance is obvious.

“Generally, people don’t check their oil supplies on a regular basis so often only discover thefts when their heating stops altogether. This is incredibly frustrating for the victims and makes it difficult to establish the exact period when the theft occurred. “I am appealing for people across South Cumbria to be vigilant. Please report anyone or any vehicles acting suspiciously around isolated premises, make a note of any vehicle registration numbers and phone police. You should dial 999 in an emergency or if you think you are witnessing a crime in action, or ring Cumbria Police on 101 to pass non urgent information.

“Finally, I would appeal for anyone who is offered, or knows of anyone trying to sell heating oil from a non official supply to come forward. You can pass information to us anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”