Farms and homes hit by rustlers stealing oil

Lothian and Borders Police have mounted targeted patrols and police checkpoints over recent days, in a bid to catch the thieves.

Reports have suggested organised crime gangs are targeting large tanks at farms and homes, particularly in East and Midlothian.

It is not known how much has been taken in the Lothians, but across Scotland it has been estimated that tens of thousands of pounds worth has been stolen in recent months.

Since the beginning of May, there are reported to have been 12 incidents in the Lothians, and last week more than 2000 litres were stolen from an isolated farm near Penicuik.

The thefts come as an entrepreneur from the Lothians today unveiled an alarm system designed to be fitted to domestic oil tanks in the wake of the crime wave.

Dalkeith-based security expert Colin Hope is marketing the wireless device which he says will immediately alert property owners when their oil tank is attacked.

The tailor-made devices cost anywhere from 100 to more than 1000, depending on the size of the tank. They are tamper-proof and weatherproof, and do not require mains power.

Mr Hope, who runs Saltire Safety and Security, said he believed it would be something which farmers in particular would find invaluable in protecting their expensive fuel stocks.

He said: "Fuel thefts are on the increase and so oil tanks need to be securely protected. Recent events have shown that locks, lights and sensors aren't enough.

"There are alarms for houses, cars, caravans, why not oil tanks? Some tanks have more than 16,000 worth of oil sitting in them.

"The price of oil is rising at an alarming rate and many homeowners and farmers, particularly those in isolated locations, are sitting ducks."

Detective Constable Stuart Higginbottom, from Dalkeith, confirmed that police had launched targeted operations over recent days in a bid to catch the fuel thieves. He also appealed for the public to report any suspicious activity which might lead them to the thieves.

He said: "In the current economic climate of rising fuel prices, we are treating these offences as serious and we will be taking a very firm line with anyone caught either stealing or receiving stolen fuel."

Police are asking anyone who sees any suspicious activity or vehicles around business premises, including farm lands, to contact the them immediately and provide descriptions and vehicle numbers.

They have also asked for anyone with information on where thieves are disposing of stolen fuel to come forward.

It was reported over the weekend that fuel thieves operating in Scotland are so skilled that they are able to sneak into a car park and siphon the entire content of a lorry's fuel tank whilst the driver sleeps in the cab.

Police are also said to have noticed a rise in the number of motorists filling up their vehicle at a petrol station and driving off without paying.