Security advice to help prevent home heating oil theft

As the fuel crisis continues to bite with oil prices increasing dramatically, Gardai are advising homeowners on measures they can take to help prevent the theft of home heating oil.

Homeowners are advised to check oil levels frequently and to arrange smaller but more frequent oil deliveries rather than filling the tank.

Gardai are also advising people to consider fitting an oil gauge alarm which warns if the oil level drops suddenly.

Other security tips include planting shrubs or erecting fencing to screen tanks from view from the road; installing automatic movement sensor security lighting around the tank; installing and using lockable access gates and erecting lockable fencing around your tank, including over the top.

Homeowners are urged to be vigilant following a delivery and to be aware that thieves may return to steal replacement oil following an initial theft. You should note suspicious vehicles' registration numbers and report them to Gardai.

Gardai have given a number of examples of ways to improve security around domestic heating oil tanks on the Meath Crime Prevention facebook page:

1. Siting the oil tank: The position of the tank can have a significant effect on how a thief views how hard a target it is. Place the tank as close to the house as regulations allow and in view of one or more windows. This may make the thief consider the chance of being seen too high to risk. Also, ensure the tank is not visible from the road to passing traffic.

2. Security lights: Security lights can have a very positive effect and make property a much harder target for the thief.

3. Defensive planting: Defensive planting is nature's way of helping to reduce crime. Thieves will not wish to force their way through or over a prickly hedge. Also planting such as trees or hedging can be used to make the oil tank less visible from the road to passing traffic.

4. Lock: A good quality closed shackle padlock fitted to the tank opening should be your starting point.

5. Securing the oil tank: A wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can give significant protection to the tank and is probably the strongest method of target hardening. A metal or grill cage with a lockable access point across the top of this wall or fence can further improve security.

6. Oil level gauges: Remote electronic oil level gauges are available which will set off an audible alarm when the oil level drops dramatically, as would happen if there were a leak or theft, and alerts the receiver unit. There are units on the market to-day that will even send a text alert to your mobile phone.

7. CCTV: Installing CCTV may sound extreme. However, small infra-red cameras are fairly cheap these days. A covert camera to record the number plates of any cars or vans entering your driveway could help. It may not stop thieves but could help trace them later. Placing a highly visible camera on your property may act as a deterrent to thieves, especially in areas where natural surveillance is scarce.

8. Monitored alarm: A lot of farmers in particular are going for new security products on the market which monitors your yard by wireless beams when you are not there. When activated if somebody enters your yard, you are notified on your phone by a monitoring station.