WITH petrol and diesel prices soaring and real concern about the amount of people who could fall into fuel poverty, police are warning Powys residents to protect their heating oil supplies.

Dyfed Powys Police has issued advice on how they can do this, including checking oil levels frequently, speak suppliers about more frequent but smaller deliveries and building fencing around your tanks.

“We are reminding residents to protect their heating oil supplies to prevent any theft from storage tanks,” said Dyfed Powys Police.

“Residents can take a few simple steps to prevent being a victim of theft. Taking these measures will help make life more difficult for would-be-thieves.”

• Be aware of your oil levels and check frequently, consider installing a tank alarm, which alert owners of sudden changes in fuel levels

• Where possible keep your levels low and the same when refilling

• Speak to your supplier with regards to a more frequent but smaller delivery

• If you have a plastic tank, consider erecting fencing around the tank with one end hinged and locked for filling purposes. The fencing should be fixed to solid posts and should be set off the tank approximately 12 inches on all sides. The same should be fixed to the top as well

• If you have a steel tank, then fit a quality anti-cut close-shackled padlock

• If you have outside security lighting, then please ensure that the system works and that the light sensors have been adjusted correctly to detect movement

• Consider installing CCTV to cover where the tank is located

Please remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police either online at https://orlo.uk/Jlwcd, email 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or call 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit https://orlo.uk/6NzX4. Always call 999 in an emergency.