Glens councillor highlights oil thefts

Her comments follow a number of reported thefts of home heating oil to her over recent days in the Glenariffe area.

Cllr Mc Allister said: “Over the past few weeks there has been a huge increase in thefts of home heating oil throughout the Glens area. I have spoken with several people just days before this meeting, who upon inspection have discovered their oil tanks have been emptied, one incident took place late at night while the family were in bed, leaving themselves and their young families very distressed and cold, and putting them under considerable financial pressure.

“I raised this very important issue at the Moyle PCSP meeting tonight and was told that unless people report this crime to the PSNI they cannot provide extra resources or patrols into the area affected to catch these criminals as no crime has been reported to them, so I am taking this opportunity to plead with anyone who is targeted by these opportunistic thieves to report this crime to the PSNI immediately which will show the need for extra police patrols, and I am fairly confident that with the help of the community the PSNI can catch these criminals and put a stop to their on going activities.

“I would also call on people to be very observant. If you see any suspicious activity in the laneways around a neighbors house, particularly if there is no one at home, either record identifying markings or registration number of the vehicles and call the police, as unfortunately your house could be next.”