North Wales continues to be one of the safest places to live and with a current 9% reduction in all crime -the force is keen to keep it that way.
With the public concern over the rising costs of fuel, police are reminding residents to protect themselves against oil thieves.
Recent figures for the force reveal that there has been an increase in the number of crimes involving the theft of oil. From April 1st 2010 to January 31, this year 110 such crimes were reported compared to 60 for the same period the previous year,
Police are calling on people to be on their guard.
Inspector Tony Wan said: “The price of fuel has risen significantly in recent months and we are advising owners to make their tanks more secure, people have a range of options, from installing locks and alarms to putting fencing up around the tank.
Insp Wan added “This message applies to both domestic and commercial premises which use oil tanks for heating or storage.”
In addition to urging individuals to report any suspicious activity they see to their local officers or by contacting police on 101 the following top tips are also being issued:
- If possible site the tank so that it is visible from the house as far away as possible from roads, paths and other public routes
- Try to ensure that the tank is not visible from the road
- Install security lighting to protect the area around the tank as most offences take place at night
- Lock the filler cap with a good quality padlock and protect feed pipes to the house where possible
- Plant defensive shrubs (thorny plants such as Holly) around your fuel tank
- Check the amount of oil in the tank regularly. During cold snaps residents could find themselves using more oil than usual. It is important to monitor the amount of oil you have, not only to ensure you have enough to heat your home but to also to ensure that nobody else is helping themselves to your fuel.
- Be vigilant of any unusual vans or lorries parked close to homes or gardens
- Always report any evidence of theft, attempted theft or evidence of tampering to the police
Posters highlighting crime prevention advice have been produced by the force.
In addition to raising the awareness of the theft of oil and issuing crime prevention advice, members of the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams are urging individuals to report anyone they see acting suspiciously or any suspicious vehicles to officers immediately on 101 (if in Wales) 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line) 0845 6071002 (English language line). Alternatively, individuals can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information on 0800 555 111.
