Hope new alarm will stop oil thefts

A Shropshire company has developed what it claims to be a unique alarm to tackle thefts of oil from domestic and farm storage tanks.

The spiralling price of heating oil has sparked a big increase in thefts with criminals siphoning off oil or undoing the pipes to drain the tanks.

Bridgnorth-based Oil Secure has now developed the idea after noticing a gap in the market for oil security methods.

The Oil Secure wireless security alarm can be attached to oil tanks and is controlled by sensors which trigger an alarm should someone tamper with the entry points.

Adrian Farmer, Oil Secure director, said the alarm is regarded as the most effective method of security, over the use of padlocks and even relocation of tanks.

He said: "A tank of fuel is a valuable asset and is often in an exposed area, but as oil prices have decreased so has the attraction to steal it - but there is still a risk.

"We consulted more than 40 crime reduction officers across the country to find out about the demands. We are now going to concentrate on working specifically with West Mercia Police in the next few months."

Mr Farmer said the firm had seen a rise in orders since the reduction of oil prices, due to wider awareness and fears it may run out before Christmas.

The Oil Secure alarm has just been launched at Oakley's Fuel Oils, Halesfield 19, Telford, with a introductory offer of 25 per cent discount to all customers.

Oakley's boss Richard Bates said: "Over the course of the year, we have had people contacting us about how to secure their tanks with locks, but this alarm system is a more effective method of protection."