Crime Prevention on 25/4/22

On this month’s Crime call Sergeant Graham Kavanagh offered advice in relation to burglaries and fuel security, highlighting home heating oil, diesel and petrol drive off thefts.

Sergeant Kavanagh explained that although domestic Burglaries have fallen over 50% since 2015, we cannot be complacent. He reminded the public of previous advice cautioning that as our society opens up again opportunities will increase for burglaries to occur. Remember to lock up & light up. One in (4) burglaries in the summertime occur when the intruder enters through an unlocked door or window.

In relation to a recent increase in oil prices, which have been steadily increasing over the the last 12 months and which have dramatically increased in the last few weeks due to market uncertainty amid fears of supply shortages. The average price of petrol and diesel has increased by approximately 30% and prices are poised to increase further in the coming months. Similarly, heating oil prices have approximately doubled since the start of the year.

With rising prices, many suppliers are rationing orders of home heating oil due to a surge in demand. The reason for this increase in demand could be that customers are stockpiling oil in anticipation of prices being driven up further. This may lead to the situation where theft of oil continues into the summer months of 2022.

Main Prevention Advice:

WHETHER DOMESTIC OR COMMERCIAL, ABOVE GROUND OIL TANKS AND MOBILE FUEL BOWSERS ARE MOST AT RISK OF FUEL THEFT

INSTALLING ALARMS, ANTI SIPHONING DEVICES, SIGNAGE, SECURITY LIGHTING AND CCTV CAN PREVENT AND DISRUPT FUEL THIEVES

COMMERCIAL PREMISES SHOULD IMPLEMENT FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO MONITOR FUEL LEVELS

KEEP FUEL TANKS VISIBLE. REMOTE TANKS ARE AT MORE RISK.

RESTRICT ACCESS. KEEP GATES CLOSED AND LOCKED WHEN NOT IN USE

SECURE VEHICLES. USE FUEL TANK CAP LOCKS AND ANTI SIPHONING DEVICES ON VEHICLES AND MACHINERY.

For more information see the Crime Prevention section