POLICE are advising householders in Derry to take steps to protect their home heating tanks from oil bandits.
With the nights getting darker earlier, it offers thieves better cover to target tanks and steal oil which is now rising in price.
Neighbours should keep an eye out for suspicious vans with adapted tanks used to transfer the stolen oil into.
There were quite a number of incidents reported over the past year to politicians and police in Derry of oil bandits roaming the estates on the steal.
Anyone who notices potential oil bandits at their work should contact police immediately on the 101 number, noting vehicle colour, make and registration, and the number of people involved along with a description of them,
A police spokesperson said: “The nights are getting colder and no doubt many of us will be switching the oil heating on again.
“Here are a few timely reminders to help you protect your oil tank from thieves this winter….
1 LOCK YOUR GATES
2 DISGUISE YOUR TANK
3 CREATE OBSTACLES
4 LIMIT AMOUNT OF OIL IN YOUR TANK
5 LOCK YOUR TANK
6 FIT A LEVEL GAUGE WITH AUDIBLE ALARM
7 INSTALL SECURITY LIGHTING AND CCTV
8 INSTALL A TANK CAGE OR GUARD
9 SITE YOUR TANK IN A SECURE POSITION
10 REMOVE SCRAP METAL
