North Yorkshire Police in Stolen Oil Operation

North Yorkshire Police say they're launching a special operation to target the thieves who fuel organised crime gangs and black markets with stolen oil.

In the first half of the year alone, officers dealt with 71 reports of oil thefts across the county – an average of a theft every two to three days.

Some left residents and businesses thousands of pounds out of pocket.

For others the stakes are were even higher, including a woman in her 90s who was left without fuel to heat her rural home after thieves drained her heating oil tank.

Heating oil, cooking oil and vehicle fuel are all being targeted, often by criminals who enter the county especially for theft sprees.

Today, North Yorkshire Police has launched a proactive operation to prevent further offences catch those responsible.

Inspector Clive Turner, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said:

“With many types of fuel doubling in price, including cooking and heating oils, diesel and petrol, officers are determined to suffocate the black market that has emerged for stolen fuel.

“We’re not talking about a couple of litres here and there – these are often very significant quantities costing thousands and thousands of pounds.