Fuel Theft on the Rise – 2022

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With the spiralling cost of Fuel in 2022 thieves are once again being tempted back  into the profitable (and often easy) practise of stealing Fuel (Diesel, Petrol & Heating Oil).

 

 

Although this Crime has never really gone away, now the prices have gone through the roof it means there is even more profit in it for these undesirables, without the need of them taking any more Risks (remember the Risk & Reward  principle).

Quite often the tanks that the Fuel is stored in are in either rural locations (with easy access and escape routes) or hidden away within a garden of a domestic application (who wants to see a fuel tank when you looking out of your window or sitting at your BBQ).

There are Alarms that can notify you if your Fuel starts dropping to fast, but quite often this is to late, the tank may already have a broken lock on an access lid or even worse a punctured (drilled) skin causing an environment disaster together with extreme costs (not to mention future insurance problems).

There is nothing wrong in having a Fuel loss Alarm, but there is a strong argument to also have some Security around the location of the Tank trying to deter the would be thief before they have actually created any Damage or Financial Loss.

There are now a multitude of Security devices (many suitable for DIY Installation) that can help you protect and monitor the this area around the Tank, listed below are some examples:

Remote locations with no on site Security (examples being a Farm Yard, Business Yard).

Battery or 12v 4G Cameras:

There are now Cameras operating on the 4G Networks that allow you to Safely & Easily Monitor, Communicate & Record (even in the most remote locations) through your mobile devices (phone or tablets). They can be powered by Battery & Solar Panels for locations with No Power, or 12v DC for locations with access to a Power supply.

Battery GSM Alarms:

It is possible to use Battery GSM Alarms that can be used in many different ways, examples could be to monitor a Door or Lid being opened, a Pressure Mat on the Ground, a PIR inside a restricted area.

If triggered the Alarm would contact the owners by Phone and/or Text either Covertly or with optional Remote Sirens.

GSM Perimeter Alarms:

Another useful method is to deploy GSM Perimeter Alarms on the approach to the location of the Fuel Tank, there are various types of Sensors that can be used ranging from:

• Hidden Metal Detectors, these only pick up moving Steel (vehicles or gates) which are ideal for locations with Animals present.
• Laser Beams, these are very accurate detection beams and can be used to protect a single entrance or with multiple units protecting part or all of the Perimeter.

The Detectors are normally Battery or Solar Powered (for easy installation), whilst the Receiver & Dialler can be powered by Battery or Mains (depending on what alarm is chosen).

These would also contact owners by Phone and/or Text, again these can be used as Covert or with optional Remote Sirens.

Sirens & Lights:

Some customers will choose not to have communication to their Phone and just rely (or prefer) on making lots of noise and/or turning bright Lights On in the event of an Intrusion (this will often deter the less serious thief).

Two examples are Here and Here, there are other variations and choices on the market (contact Ultra Secure for Advice if required).

Domestic locations (inside a Garden or Yard within 100 metres of the House):

All of the above Alarms can also be used in Domestic applications, especially when the Grounds are large, but there are also more basic devices that can be used:

Driveway Alarm:

A simple Wireless Driveway Alarm can also be useful, these can come in various forms with the most common a Battery PIR and an Inside Chime Receiver, with the PIR monitoring the approach to the Fuel Tank or the Fuel Tank itself.

It is possible to use more than one PIR, there may be two or three protecting the Fuel Tank, or one protecting the Fuel Tank and another one or two being using in different parts of your property (driveway for example).

You can also add external Sirens, Bells or Lights to some Driveway Alarms.

The downside of a Wireless Driveway Alarm is that it will not inform you if you are not at home, although you could still have Sirens, Bells & Lights active which can prove to be a deterrent.

Wireless Perimeter Alarm:

Wireless Perimeter Alarms (when gsm modules are not deployed) work very similar to the Wireless Driveway Alarms as discussed above, the main difference being that the typical Sensors (laser sensors have a longer detection pattern) allowing you to protect larger areas, although PIR’s can also be added to these systems when small additional areas need covering.

The ideal would be to monitor or protect the full Perimeter, or at least all of the vulnerable Perimeter areas.

Siren Alarm:

Another simple idea is to have a Battery powered Siren Alarm located near your Fuel Tank, these can be used to protect the area around the Fuel Tank, if any of the PIR’s (multiple can be used) detect movement (when armed) the Siren which would be mounted out of reach would activate.

Again these would not inform you if you are not at home (or on site), or to far away to hear the Siren, but may deter the casual Thief.

Outdoor Wireless IP Cameras:

For locations where the Fuel Tank is very close to the House (which is the majority of customers) simple IP Cameras can be deployed to monitor the Fuel Tank.

These can be programmed to alert your Phone (by push notification or email) if movement is detected next to the Tank, allowing you to log into the Camera using your device to View, Talk (2 way communication) or trigger built in Sirens.

The Cameras can be set to Record once movement has been detected or manually using your device once logged in.

The IP Cameras can be powered by Mains, 12v DC or Battery.

Other Security Ideas:

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.

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:

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 can (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.

Decoy (Dummy CCTV):

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: 

One or more Security Signs can be a very cost effective addition to your Security measures placed around your Fuel Tank.

 

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.
It may also be more beneficial to deploy two or three affordable Security Systems in & around your Fuel Tank rather than one large, complicated & expensive system.

One Theft could result in hundreds or thousands of pounds in loss and damage !!

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