As Winter approaches, Norfolk Constabulary is working with oil companies across the county to offer general advice to the public on protecting their fuel. Some tanks have the capacity to store thousands of pounds worth of fuel, so it is worth taking precautionary measures to protect them.
Some general tips include:
- Keep your tank in a well overlooked position – this will ensure thieves
are more likely to be seen.
- If your tank is close to your house make sure that it can be seen from
your windows – this coupled with lighting will make it less of a target.
- Security lights can help deter potential thieves. Low level ‘dusk ‘til
dawn’ lights positioned close to the tank should, in most cases, provide
sufficient light to illuminate any suspicious activity.
- Enclosing your tank in a building which can be secured is better still.
However it is important not to overlook the importance of ventilation;
advice should be sought from you oil company.
- If you have a gate keep it closed and locked when you are out.
- Make sure your perimeter fence is in good condition and is not easy to
climb.
- Invest in a good quality lock. Close shackle padlocks are recommended
as they offer better resistance to bolt croppers and other tools that
thieves usually come equipped with.
- Check your oil gauges regularly to alert you to any potential thefts and
help investigations by narrowing crime times down. Many tanks can be
fitted with a gauge to monitor levels which can be read inside the house.
- If you require further advice about your fuel tank or would like a site
specific survey then contact your local Crime Prevention Officer or Safer
Neighbourhood Team.
If you witness, or are a victim of oil theft, please report it to:- Norfolk Constabulary on 0845 456 4567
“By being extra vigilant and reporting suspicious devices attached to ATMs or activity in the vicinity of ATMs the public can protect themselves from being victims and help the police catch the criminals responsible.
“The best defence is to check the cash machine carefully before using it and to shield your hand when entering your PIN. Some skimming devices are very sophisticated and can be difficult to spot. If in doubt report it."
Anyone with information should contact Swaffham Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0845 456 4567 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
DS Pete Jessop said; “In the past year there have been 16 incidents in Norfolk involving callers claiming to be from the water board and stating their need to enter the property. The phone number can be used to verify the authenticity of officials and minimise the risk of a crime occurring If a cold caller visits your home claiming they need to enter the property urgently then be cautious. There are very few circumstances where someone would need to be given access in this manner. Check the identity of the caller and make them wait – if they’re genuine they will not mind.”
Martyn Oakley, Customer Services Director at Anglian Water said: “We, at Anglian Water, take the protection of our customers very seriously. All our staff and contractors carry identification and we have a dedicated phone line for customers to confirm the identity and seek reassurance that any visitor is genuine. If a customer receives an unexpected doorstep visitor we urge them to check their ID and then call the company to make sure they are who they say they are. All of our employees and contractors will be happy to wait while you do this.” Consumers are advised to call 0800 145145 to check the identity of a 'water company' doorstep caller.
Thieves have targeted red diesel, lead flashings and also caused criminal damage at churches. With the value of copper rising by 44% in the last six months officers are warning people not to become complacent and to ensure all homes, business properties and yards are kept secure and any suspicious activity be reported to police.
Det Sgt Pete Jessop, head of Norfolk Constabulary's Operation RADAR which
tackles similar crimes said:
1."This is a crime that won't be tolerated in Norfolk and one we treat very
seriously.
2."Our message to people involved in stealing these items or knowingly involved
in disposal of such items is that you will be prosecuted when you're caught.
3."It's an offence which can cause financial misery to the victims concerned and
can cost thousands of pounds to put right."
Officers have been working closely with scrap metal sites throughout the county offering crime prevention advice and as a result there was a 41pc reduction in the number of incidents in 2009.
There were 681 incidents in 2008 compared to 404 on 2009 - despite the general trend of an increase in the value of all scrap metal throughout the world. In the last six months the price of copper rose per tonne from £2934.56 to £4235.04.
Det Sgt Jessop added: "We would urge members of the public to remain vigilant. Sites that are vulnerable include business sites such as factories and farms, as well as domestic properties. People should mark their property for identification, and immediately report anything suspicious especially cold callers looking around for scrap metal obtaining as much detail as possible including vehicle index numbers.
"We will continue to work closely with our partners to tackle this crime proactively by establishing long term relationships and agreed best practice protocols."
For further crime prevention advice visit www.norfolk.police.uk
In case of emergency, list a number under ICE in your mobile phone so that if required the emergency services know which number to call first. If more than one number then call them ICE1, ICE2….
A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number).
Do NOT call this number as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call this number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call.
One version is legally not a scam. It’s a very cleverly worded card that just stays within the strictest interpretation of the law because they do have a parcel for you. If you get one, it is usually a pen worth about 3p. You have not ordered it, the ‘scam’ part comes when you reply to the card and pay around £5 to receive a pen thinking it’s a parcel that you’ve ordered.
This is a genuine scam that Royal Mail has been made aware of. If you receive a card with these details then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk
Group 4 news usually advertises expected building work so please help us by checking. The thefts are materials from outside, oil tanks or breakins. Also it is very sad when stain glass windows get broken through vandalism when they have survived storms and war.
If you agree with me that contact between neighbours not only to reduce criminal activities but also to help where required in directions, is worthwhile then perhaps you will consider supporting the Homewatch Organisation if necessary.
Letters to our Local MP and the Local Press should be helpful.
Thankyou, Ernie Simmons [Beachamwell Homewatch Coordinator]