A recent spate of thefts of oil and petrol has led local police to give guidance on measures we can take:
Measures to consider for vehicles
• Keep vehicles in a secure area, preferably a garage, shed or outbuildings, wherever possible.
• Do not leave keys in or near a vehicle where they can be easily found.
• Consider the use of locking fuel caps.
• Re-fuel vehicles just before the planned journey rather than leaving a vehicle fully fuelled overnight.
• Park vehicles in areas that are well lit so they can be observed easily.
• Arrange for checks of vehicles and premises outside of normal working hours.
• Use secure parking areas or compounds when vehicles are parked overnight, particularly when not parked at their operating base.
• Consider the use of alarms. This could be on the vehicles themselves or for the perimeter of the parking/storage area. Improve lighting and focus on vulnerable areas.
For Storage Tanks
• Fit anti-siphoning devices.
• Install or confirm existing CCTV is fit for purpose and train a camera on tanks and vulnerable vehicles.
• Install cages and/or improve security that surrounds fuel storage tanks.
• Consider using 'bunded' fuel tanks if your existing storage facility is not of that type.
• Consider the deployment of fuel dyes.
• Commercial companies could consider fuel cards rather than storing fuel on site.
• Use defensive parking techniques, wherever possible park vehicles against solid objects on the fuel tank side to prevent access.
• Remove portable storage from site (barrel and drums etc) or make them secure.
• Consider installing fuel cap alarms - wireless transmitters can be placed inside the screw cap of the fuel tank. A magnetic switch on the device sets off an alarm if the cap is opened or tampered with.
• More advanced systems can be linked to security lighting or send a text message to the owners or security provider.
• An isolation switch allows authorised access to the tank for refuelling.
• Make sure gates and compounds are locked and secured, consider fitting an anti-attack cover for the lock.
• Agricultural sites should consider portable refuelling systems that can be locked in secure storage areas and not left in fields or stock yards.
• Use appropriate signage at the entrances where security devices are being used. It will act as a deterrent.
Should you witness suspicious activity and you believe that immediate police attendance is required, please dial 999. Any other non-urgent information or intelligence can be passed to police by calling 101 or via email to 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous you can pass any information or intelligence to CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111.
