RURAL homeowners in Lancashire on oil-fired central heating are being reminded about the risk of oil thefts as winter sets in.

A rural crimes survey showed fuel was the third most attractive commodity for thieves targeting countryside homes.

This, coupled with more severe cold weather and increasing oil prices likely in the coming months, makes heating oil prone to theft.

Malcolm Farrow, of the Oil Firing Technical Association, said: “This is an issue that we can’t stress enough at this time of year.

“If more people are aware and vigilant of oil thefts in rural communities, hopefully there will be fewer victims of this crime.”

Homeowners are advised to consider fitting a lockable cap or padlock to the tank, installing a motion detecting security light, buying a fuel gauge alarm, installing a CCTV camera near the tank and looking out for suspicious vehicles on the day of delivery.