Police warn Suffolk residents to secure heating oil tanks as thefts rise

Why it matters: Rural homes, businesses, transport depots and farms are prime targets for thieves, with heating oil now a high-value commodity following the recent price rise.

The big picture: Unlike gas and electricity customers, households that rely on heating oil have no price cap to shield them from sudden cost rises – and rural communities are typically the first to feel the impact.

Only 3% of households in England and Wales said oil was their only source of central heating, according to a 2021 census. However, it is much more common in rural communities such as those across Suffolk.

What's driving prices up: Heating oil is based on kerosene, produced from crude in oil refineries. The US-Israeli war with Iran has cut off access to refineries in the Middle East, where much of Europe's supply is produced, resulting in a price surge.

• Relatively little heating oil is kept in storage in the UK.
• There is relatively little tax on heating oil compared with petrol and diesel, so changes in the wholesale price produce a bigger swing in the prices charged to homeowners.
• The industry is made up of hundreds of relatively small local suppliers, who do not keep large stocks and rely on the open market to get new supplies.
• The combination of the rising wholesale price, uncertain outlook and much higher levels of demand led to many suppliers temporarily withdrawing from the market, though they are returning as the situation stabilises.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there was "price gouging" in the market and that some heating oil companies were using the Middle East crisis as "an opportunity to rip off consumers".

How to protect your tank: As criminals look to capitalise on the rising value of oil, Suffolk Police have issued the following advice to residents:

• Position matters: Ideally, the oil tank should be close to the house, with one or more windows overlooking it.
• Secure the perimeter: Keep gates locked, and walls and fences in good repair.
• Install CCTV: Use movement-sensitive cameras that can immediately alert you and allow you to view the activity. Back this up with CCTV warning signage and good security lighting.
• Enclose the tank: Where possible, enclose it in a stand-alone building or fenced-off area. Any enclosed area must be ventilated, and advice should be sought from OFTEC or your oil company.
• Fit an alarm: A movement-activated alarm can deter offenders before they reach the tank. A sonic alarm with a mobile application can immediately alert you to a change in fuel level.
• Keep it accessible: Make sure the tank remains easily accessible for delivery drivers.

The bottom line: With heating oil prices climbing and no regulator-imposed cap to soften the blow, households face a double hit – higher costs and a rising risk of theft – making tank security more important than ever.

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