Lockerley primary school has been the victim of oil thieves three times in the past eighteen months. When the school reopened after the Christmas holidays on 4th January staff were shocked to discover that there was no heating oil. It was decided to close the school again for three days after students bravely tried to function as normal for two days. The oil company simply could not get to the school quick enough for it to stay open due to the treacherous road conditions that were seen throughout the United Kingdom.

The principal of the school Ms. Ann Smyth told how there had been half a tank of oil when the school closed for the Christmas holidays but when they returned the fuel indicator was showing a level of zero. Management persevered in their attempts to get emergency oil supplies delivered to the school despite having to close it from the 6th to 8th January. Eventually the oil company managed to battle through the snow and ice and had 1000 litres delivered on the evening of January 7th. But when the school opened again on the following Monday morning the level was again at zero. This was the third attack and Ms. Smyth told of how thieves had also tried to steal the school’s supply of oil in July 2008 but had fled after being interrupted.

Staff at the school originally thought that the tank’s gauge was not working until they checked the levels themselves and found that thieves had cut into the top of the tank. It has now been necessary for the schools security measures to be increased to try to stop further thefts. There have been suggestions that many the tank should have a cage placed around it to stop thieves from reaching it. These thefts are now under investigation by police.

The growing cost of oil and the global recession have seen huge increases in the number of thefts from oil tanks.

Getting the home heated up during winter can be very expensive. Fuel such as electricity and gas show no signs of coming down in price. Many individuals are now changing over to cheaper home heating oil though. When they do they always need their tanks filled with Boilerjuice to ensure they never run out.