POLICE in Derry are hunting a ‘well-organised’ criminal gang behind a spate of thefts of home heating oil.
Detectives are also trying to establish how the thieves are disposing of the oil – and hope anyone being offered cut-price fuel will report it to them.
There have been a number of raids in the past few days.
Two homes within metres of each other off the Waterside’s Irish Street were targeted at the weekend.
Local people reported seeing masked and hooded men in the area at the time.
PSNI officers raced to the scene but the men had left the area.
Community police and crime prevention officers are urging people to fit locks to their oil tanks in a bid to deter the thieves.
“We have had opportunist thefts like this at this time of the year over the past few years,” said one PSNI officer.
“However it appears to be more organised this time.”
Information on oil thefts or people offering oil for sale who aren’t reputable suppliers can be given on the police non-emergency number, 101, or by calling the Crimestoppers Charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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