Fuel theft warning

Farmers and rural householders are being warned of increasing levels of fuel theft, as prices continue to rise.

Police forces across the country have reported that criminals are targeting supplies of home heating oil and red diesel, which is mainly used in agriculture.

And insurer NFU Mutual said that claims involving theft of red diesel were up by 30% in the first five months of this year, compared to the same period in the previous year.

The problem was brought to national attention last week, when a farmer's wife in County Durham died during a raid by thieves.

Rosemary Dove, 68, was returning home with her husband on Sunday evening when they interrupted thieves stealing diesel stored at their property. She collapsed and died shortly after making a 999 call to alert police.

Police and insurers have urged homeowners to be aware of the increased risk to domestic fuel supplies.

A spokesperson for MORE TH>N home insurance advised people with heating oil stored on their premises to check that they have an appropriate level of cover in their home contents policies.

"If stolen from a tank in the garden or a tank in an outbuilding, normally a monetary limit will apply – this will vary depending on the specific contract," they said.

Image: Gareth Fuller/PA