Padlocks can be used to reduce risk of heating oil thefts

Padlocks are used in many different situations to help reduce the risk that intruders will be able to gain access property. These days, there are many different locks available, meaning consumers and business owners alike should find it easy to source the ideal products for them.

Recently, police in Norfolk issued a warning to local residents who rely on heating oil to make sure these resources are adequately protected.

As part of this, the force noted that padlocks can be utilised. It advised people to use “good quality” locks of this kind and suggested that close shackle can be among the best.

The information was issued after it was decided during a local safer neighbourhood team action panel meeting that heating oil security should be adopted as a priority. The price of this commodity has soared over recent times, raising the incentive for criminals to steal it.

Meanwhile, thefts of this kind tend to rise over winter and December and January are the worst months.

Police Community Support Officer Sophie Watson noted that it is important for people to regularly check the level of oil in their tanks. She remarked: “These checks are especially important after receiving a delivery of heating oil as you will be able to better monitor the speed at which the oil is used by the boiler.”

She added: “We’ve adopted this matter as a priority to make sure residents living in Watlington and surrounding villages can take the necessary steps to protect their property. In an effort to support this we would ask residents to report any suspicious activity which we will be acted on and monitored.”

The police also noted that it is now possible for consumers to purchase digital oil alarms which make an audible signal if the oil level in tanks falls significantly in a short period of time.

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