Fuel Tanks are being ever increasingly targeted by thieves, a trend that is unlikely to be reversed for many years to come, with cost of fuel rising & the ease to which stolen fuel can be sold, the problem is only going to get worse.
Fuel Tank Security
The additional problems faced, apart from the initial theft are:
- The damage to tanks, tank lids & locks.
- The knowledge that once the tank has been emptied, it will be refilled soon.
- And for the unlucky few, the thieves simply drill the tank, drain as much fuel out as they can physically carry, and then simple leave the remaining fuel to drain onto the ground, creating a dreadful environmental disaster.
Some clever thieves will only partially empty your tank, coming back regularly for a small top up, the owner can be totally ignorant to this fact and simply complain to there partner how much fuel they are using on the heating this year ?. This can be especially prevalent on farms where access to a tank is relatively easy with low risk, together with it being impractical & sometimes just impossible for the farmer to monitor fuel usage.
Fuel Tank theft is seen as a low risk, high reward crime, so what can we do to help secure & prevent them ?
In simple terms we need to increase the risk to the thief, which in turn will alter the Risk & Reward ratio & perhaps make a theft from you, less attractive than another easier target down the road, this can often be achieved by carrying out a few small low cost projects rather than one very expensive one.
In our opinion due to the variations in tank design, tank location, family or business activities in & around the location of the tank, there is no single solution to protect these, our recommendations would be to carry out a few small changes, normally at a modest investment (less than the contents of just one single tank).
Listed below are a few suggestions that may help the security of your specific fuel tank, not all suggestions will be suitable or practical for your application, but one or two will be:
Access
Hide your Fuel Tank Away
Make your Fuel Tank less visible (don’t let it draw attention to potential thieves), one word of warning though, by doing this you can also give a thief a sheltered & not overlooked Fuel Tank to steal from, therefore a Perimeter Alarm would be a sensible addition to this solution.
Fuel Tank Security Fencing
If you can’t (or do not want to) hide your Fuel Tank away, then sensible Security Fencing can help protect the Tank, or at least make it harder for the Thief, obviously more popular in commercial applications than the domestic situation.
Security Lighting:
Fuel Tank Security Lighting
Security Lighting is invaluable in making a potential thief feel uncomfortable, but thought should be given to what type of lighting is used and to the location of the lights, in our opinion it is far better to have a few low power lights than one or two very powerful ones, powerful Security Lighting will if not positioned correctly can create large dark shadows, ideal for a potential thief to use for cover.
You can also now purchase Security Lighting with built in Covert CCTV.
Perimeter Alarms:
Wireless Perimeter Alarms
There is an array of Wireless Perimeter Alarms, these are probably one of the most useful devices to use for helping to Secure the location of a Fuel Tank, they can be positioned next to the Tank when you have enclosed the Tank with open or closed Fencing, or they can be used away from the Tank protecting the most obvious approaches to it.
The Wireless Perimeter Alarms can be used in many forms & different budgets from a very basic system from around £50 to a system which can contact key-holders by Text Message & Telephone together with activating Sirens & Flashing Lights, click here to find a wide range of Wireless Perimeter Alarms.
Alarm Locks:
Locks & Chains with Built in Alarm Sirens
These modern Locks & Chains have Built in Sirens which will activate if they are attacked, one of these helping to protect a Perimeter Cage or Access Lid may help to deter a thief from calmly draining away your valuable Fuel.
CCTV & IP Camera’s:
Protect your Fuel with CCTV & IP Cameras
There are two styles of CCTV which could be deployed to help protect your Fuel Tanks:
- Recording CCTV: these will simple be used to view recorded images after the event, therefore they will not prevent a theft but they may help to identify the persons responsible for the theft. These can be in the form of a traditional CCTV Camera system being connected to a DVR Recorder, or one of the newer inventive Cameras such as a Floodlight with built in Covert CCTV or Battery Powered Portable Cameras.
- IP or MMS CCTV: these devices will send images or text messages to your mobile phone, if you are using an IP Camera you would then be able to log into the Cameras using a modern mobile phone & APP, or a MMS Camera will send you an image. Both methods will allow you to contact the Police whilst being able to verify the crime being undertaken, this will always be taken more seriously by the Police.
Decoy (Dummy CCTV):
Help to protect your Fuel Tank with a Decoy CCTV Camera
Decoy (dummy) CCTV Camera’s can be used where it is impractical or just not possible to fit a working CCTV system, or can be used as a cost effective addition to other Security measures you are using to help to protect your Fuel Tanks.
Security Signs:
Help protect your Fuel Tank using Security Signs
One or more Security Signs can be a very cost effective addition to your Security measures placed around your Fuel Tank.
Security Posts or Bollards:
Stop thieves getting their vehicles close to your Fuel Tank by using a Security Post or Bollard
These are probably one of the less obvious Security Products that you would normally consider to help protect your Fuel Tank, but as Fuel is heavy & bulky to move around the thief would always choose to get a vehicle as close as possible to the tank before a theft (if possible), obviously this is not practical in all applications but in some cases would be a really useful Security measure.
If you choose a Post, you need to choose the stronger designs, the strongest type being Telescopic, but Removable can also be used, avoid using a Bolt Down model as these are designed to be used as a Parking deterrent.
Summary:
We hope this overview gives you a better understanding of potential Security devices that could be deployed without having to spend large sums of money to help Secure your Fuel Tank, even if you do not want to fit a system yourself it will give you far better understanding when talking to potential Security Installers about what you may want & how much you would expect to pay.
Remember, it may be better to deploy two or three affordable Security Systems in & around your Fuel Tank rather than one large, complicated & expensive system.
If you would like further advice about possible Security solutions for your vulnerable Fuel Tanks, then Ultra Secure Direct are happy to do this via Telephone, Email or Live Chat, click here for full contact details.
By Mark Walter Google