Heating oil thieves leave trail of misery (From Evesham Journal)

Heating oil thieves leave trail of misery

7:51am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News

THIEVES have stolen at least 5,400 litres of heating oil across the Vale since early January to sell on the black market.

So far two men have been arrested and police are investigating to see if they are connected to any of the thefts.

The worst-hit home in Knowle Hill, Evesham, had 3,000 litres of heating oil stolen in one week late in February while the homeowners were away. Badsey strawberry growers EC Drummond and Sons had 1,000 litres of oil, valued at £1,000, siphoned off between 6pm on February 14 and 1pm on February 15, as reported in the Journal last month.

Marin Marinov, manager of the business, on Badsey Fields Lane, said: “It is not good at all. I was angry.

When you see that you just think these people don’t respect any laws. It is unbelievable because you are trying hard to get business going and it is pushing you back.”

Other thefts in the area include two-thirds of a tank of heating oil taken overnight on February 24 from Farm Lane in Atch Lench and 50 litres from Broad Lane, Bishampton, on the same night.

In Pershore Road, Stoulton, 500 litres were taken during one week in February leaving the occupants with no fuel and thefts of about 900 litres occurred in Hinton-on-the- Green in January and February.

Inspector Sean Kent, head of policing in Wychavon, said the force had witnessed an increase in fuel thefts in recent weeks and were patrolling areas that had suffered.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101.