Homeowners Warned About 'Oil Theft'

Rising fuel prices could spark off oil theft, a PSNI crime prevention officer has said.

People across Northern Ireland are being warned to be on "high alert" with regards to possible oil-theft in their homes.

Derek Ewing said that while the thefts are occuring "across the board" he assumes "it hits the elderly much more".

Homeowners are being advised to "do what they can" to make it more difficult for thieves to steal from their oil tanks.

It is reported that Londonderry resident, Susan Charlesworth has had oil stolen twice recently.

She described the spates as "terrible" and added "you're out working and you're trying to keep your home going, paying your way and then this happens".

Mr Ewing said that criminals were targeting the elderly in order to "cash in" on rising oil prices.

In January, the BBC reported that thieves in Londonderry were using sophisticated equipment to steal home heating oil.

Police warned residents at the time over a spate of oil thefts in the city.

One pensioner had reported her oil stolen just days after having her tank filled.

Councillor Seamus Blaney from Ballycastle said in April that some "desperate people" are turning to crime rather than pay for rocketing prices for heating oil.

"I believe the situation could get worse if the prices keep going up so people should be aware of the threat to their oil," he said.

Northern Ireland Oil Federation says that the retail price of home heating oil is determined by the cost and availability of crude oil which has been "elevated in recent months by strong demand, tight global supplies and geopolitical uncertainties".

NI Oil says it is in talks with NEA, DETI and the Fuel Poverty Task Force to research ideas and initiatives that will "minimise the impact of these unprecedented increases".

Latest figures show that Northern Ireland consumers buy oil home heat 5% cheaper than the UK average and 10% cheaper than consumers in the Republic.

(DS/JM)