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40 Winter 2022 N FU Mutual’s recently- published 2022 Rural Crime Report shows a new wave of fuel thefts is quickly gathering momentum. Despite fuel theft claims falling between 2020 and 2021, claims data from the rst half of 2022 indicates fuel theft claims have more than doubled compared to the same period in 2021 - sparked by record high prices for diesel. Fuel bowsers are increasingly being targeted, both by criminal gangs and opportunist insiders and the switch to standard or ‘white’ diesel which can be used in road vehicles is enticing people to steal from fuel bowsers on construction sites, with little way to trace and identify perpetrators. Whether fuel is being stored in a xed tank or is in a vehicle there is a risk of theft from both internal and external parties, insurance companies have highlighted. A survey by Shell found that two in ve employees had witnessed fraud with fuel siphoning a typical example. One council worker was recently found guilty of stealing £42K worth of fuel. Small amounts taken from tanks can add up to large losses over time, but the external threat is even greater, with organised crime gangs targeting storage tanks and vehicles. For example, earlier this year, broker Verlingue reported that 21 farmers in Cumbria su ered losses of £10,000 over four days and an estimated £1m worth of fuel was stolen from 40 sites in North Wales. Lorries are also sometimes targeted, with fuel caps being broken o or punctured by thieves. UK fuel and lubricants supplier is regularly asked for advice on how to secure fuel in an onsite storage tank. It recommends using a fuel theft monitoring system that has sensors tted to the tank to monitor the fuel on a continuous basis and gives the following prevention tips: Locate in safe location: Many thieves use Google Maps to nd satellite images of fuel tanks. Consider locating your tank behind a garage or shed and away from roads. Positioning it close to your business or home will ensure it’s in clear view. Remember to locate the tank away from any risk of obstruction and ensure it’s easily accessible for delivery drivers. Install an alarm: Consider tting alarms to external gates surrounding your fuel tank or to the inside of a shed or outbuilding that is housing the tank. Fit a fuel theft lock: ieves often come armed with tools so it’s worth investing in quality locks, locking fuel caps and anti-siphoning deterrents to slow down the criminals and reduce the likelihood of success. Locks with a CEN or BSEN 12320 Grade 6 classi cation indicate maximum security (Grade 1 is the least secure). Bowsers increasingly targeted as red diesel withdrawn and price hikes seen. FUEL THEFTS: HOW CAN YOU ADDRESS THE RISK?