Empty oil drums ‘a gift’ for fuel thieves

Police have warned this week of two recently reported incidents, one at a property in Dunvale, where empty drums were used by opportunist oil thieves to carry off their syphoned gains.

Speaking to the Ballymena Times on Thursday about the emerging theft trend, Inspector Pete Bouma said: “People may be buying these drums instead of getting a fill in the recession but we would ask them not to leave them lying about when empty because thieves could take advantage of that to steal.

“We would ask people to make sure they are locked away after they are finished. - It’s too easy for the (oil) thief...lo and behold, there’s the very thing to carry it away in!

“Also, if anyone sees people walking about with oil drums they should report it to us. This could be legitimate but it is worth checking out,” said the Inspector.