Pensioner, 87, among victims of ‘callous’ gangs draining heating oil from rural homes

Theft gangs are draining heating oil from tanks belonging to residents in rural areas as the price of fuel continues to rise.

In one case, thieves stole a pensioner’s entire supply at her home three weeks after she had filled up at a cost of £2,000.

Jean Piper, 87, is among the victims of a rising tide of theft that has been plaguing the countryside and already hard-pressed farming industry.

Jean, who lives in West Devon, discovered the tank was empty when she went to make a meal and her cooker wouldn’t work.