Thieves Target Schools Oil Supply Again
Oil thieves have struck against Lockerley primary school three times in the past 18 months. When the school reopened after the Christmas holidays on 4th January staff were shocked to discover that there was no heating oil. They battled it out on the 4th and 5th of January but the decision was then made that the school could not stay open without oil. Hazardous conditions on the roads at the time meant that emergency oil supplies could not get to the school quickly enough for the school to remain open.
The head teacher Ms. Ann Smyth explained how when they returned to school in January, the gauge on the tank showed that it was empty despite it being half full before the school had closed for the Christmas holidays. Even though the school was forced to close again between the sixth and eighth of January management did not stop in their attempts to secure an oil delivery. It was not until late on Thursday January 7th that there was a breakthrough and the oil company managed to get 1000 litres of oil to the school. But they were severely disappointed when the following Monday morning they found levels again at zero. Ms. Smyth also told of how thieves had tried to steal oil from the tank in July 2008 but were interrupted and fled.
Staff at the school originally thought that the tank’s gauge was not working until they checked the levels themselves and found that thieves had cut into the top of the tank. The school have now had to increase security to try to prevent further oil thefts. One idea that has been considered is to place a cage around the tank so that thieves cannot get to the tank. These thefts are now under investigation by police.
The rise in this type of crime has been blamed on the recession and the fact that oil prices have been rising steadily.
Heating ones home in the cold months of winter can cost a fair packet. Electricity and gas prices are very high and show no signs of coming down any time soon. Savvy people are changing over to oil as a home fuel though. And when this happens they have to ensure the tanks re always full of heating oil to make sure they don’t run dry in the cold weather.