Eight ways to protect your farm from fuel theft

Fuel theft is one of the most common crimes reported by farmers up and down the country. And with petrol prices soaring to record highs, the number of thefts has increased dramatically.

Whether you own or manage an industrial farm, a local farm, or even just a family small-holding, you must take steps to prevent the theft of your fuel, as it can be very expensive to replace.

While insurance policies can cover your fuel supply, there are also several simple things you can do to ensure your fuel is kept secure.

So join us as we explore eight ways to protect your farm from fuel theft.

What can you do to prevent fuel theft?

The best way to prevent fuel theft is to heighten the security across your farm. You should invest in heavy-duty locks, rig alarm systems, set up CCTV, and closely monitor your fuel supplies throughout the year.

You can also buy insurance that covers you against fuel theft and the cost of cleaning a spillage caused by the thieves. While this won’t prevent burglary, it does buffer you against paying steep costs in the event of a break-in.

So let’s jump in and look at the best ways to protect your fuel store and prevent theft.

Eight top tips to keep your farm safe from fuel theft

Lock your fuel tank store

Whether you keep your fuel in a purpose-built shed, a garage, or a small outdoor storage unit, you should keep your fuel tank store locked with heavy-duty padlocks and chains.

You should also, if possible, lock the fuel tanks themselves. You can get specialist tank locks for the caps and openings, and you should consider getting thick fuel hoses that are much harder to cut than regular ones.

Set up an alarm system

You can get two types of alarm systems to protect your fuel store. The first is a simple burglar alarm. This is a good option if you keep your fuel supply in a shed, garage, or another outhouse, as you will be alerted to any break-ins, and the alarm should immediately inform the local authorities.

The second option is a tank alarm system, which is a good idea if your fuel store is easily accessible in an outdoor tank. The tank alarm is triggered when your fuel levels drop to a certain point. So if someone tries to drain your fuel supply, you will be instantly alerted. You can also easily switch it off when you have emptied the tank yourself.

Add your fuel to your insurance

Although insurance won’t protect your fuel against thieves, it does protect your finances in the event of a burglary.

You may already have farm or contents home insurance, in which case you should ask your provider if you can add fuel cover to your policy.

If you have yet to take out any such insurance, you should consider doing so, as fuel can be one of a farm’s most valuable and easily stolen items. If you already have an insurance policy, check that it covers your fuel supply, as not all policies do.

You might also consider getting oil spill insurance. If the thieves steal your fuel and spill some of it, you will be left to pay for the environmental clean-up. Oil spill insurance covers you against these costs.

Keep an itinerary

Keeping an itinerary allows you to stay on top of exactly how much fuel you have at any time. It means you will notice if anything has gone missing, which is especially useful if you have a large supply.

Again, this won’t prevent your fuel from being stolen. Rather, it will alert you to any loss of fuel, whether there is a slow or a sudden drop in the storage tanks.

While you can manually keep your itinerary, you can also get digital devices that provide you with regular updates on your fuel supplies and work as an automated fuel management system.

Use security lights

Motion-sensor security lights are activated when they detect movement. The light then alerts you to a disturbance and scares the thief as they have been rendered easily visible.

People often pair security lights with other protective devices, but lights are a good first port of call in warding off unwanted trespassers.

Put your dogs to use

If you have farm dogs, you should consider training them to ward off trespassers or to be alerted by the scent of fuel, or both.

The former option has its drawbacks as it also means that your dogs may act aggressively towards any guests or visitors you have. However, it is probably the more effective of the two options.

The latter option ensures that your dogs won’t chase or bark at anyone and everyone who visits the farm, but it does mean that they will respond every time they smell fuel, which could become an irritating feature of the farm.

Whichever option you choose, ensure your dogs do not pose a danger to visitors or innocent passersby due to their training.

Install CCTV cameras

CCTV cameras have two functions: deterrence and identity confirmation.

If a thief sees that you have installed CCTV cameras, they will often be deterred from proceeding with the burglary for fear of getting caught.

If they proceed with the burglary, using CCTV cameras should help you and the police in your efforts to identify them.

Modern CCTV cameras can be linked to your phone, laptop, or any other monitor, so you can keep a close watch on your fuel and the rest of the property even when you are away.

Erect a fence

If you have an outdoor fuel tank, erecting a fence, wall, or gate might be a good idea. You should contact your local authority to determine how high you can build the fence while adhering to local planning permission regulations.

You can plant trees, bushes, and shrubs around the fence to camouflage the fuel store and make it even harder to climb.

What should you do if your fuel is stolen?

If a theft has occurred and the perpetrator has already left the scene, you should contact the non-emergency police number on 101. You should provide the police with any evidence you may have, such as CCTV footage. You will then be given a crime number, after which you should contact your insurance provider if your fuel store was insured.

If you see a trespasser or thief attempting to steal your fuel, then stay at a distance from them and call 999 immediately. You should note as much evidence as possible, including a physical description of the perpetrator, their vehicle registration, what they are wearing, and photographs. Do not try to confront them or alert them to your presence in any way, as this may only escalate the situation.

How do thieves steal fuel?

Fuel thieves often use a tube to siphon fuel from your tank into theirs. They may also have specialist fuel pumps that are more efficient and effective at transferring fuel.

Depending on how your fuel is stored, the thieves may also be able to steal whole tanks of it, providing they have enough manpower to move them.

Another, more subtle way fuel can be stolen is by “skimming.” This involves someone overfilling a tank and then depositing the top layer into a bottle or another tank they have. This method is more likely to be done by people with legitimate access to your fuel but who take more than they should.

How much is fuel worth?

The average fuel cost in the UK at the time of writing is 163 pence per litre of petrol and 180.4 pence per litre of diesel.

Many farms use agricultural machinery and vehicles that qualify for red diesel. Red diesel is the same as regular diesel, but it is taxed at a much lower rate to help businesses that need it to operate. Also, it is dyed red so that it stains the tanks it is used in so inspectors can clarify that it has not been misused.

Red diesel is taxed at a rate of 11.14 pence per litre, while regular diesel is taxed at a rate of 57.95 pence per litre.

Why is fuel theft rising?

Fuel theft has been rising for the past few months, and there are two main reasons behind this.

First, the cost of fuel has shot up since the end of the coronavirus lockdowns and the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The global demand for fuel and crude oil (from which fuel is derived) plummeted during the pandemic, which reduced the supply as less oil needed to be drilled.

Then, when the world started to open up again, demand quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the supply side was still limited. This then drove up the oil price, resulting in the highest fuel prices on record.

The supply side issues were further compounded by the war in Ukraine, as Russia is one of the biggest suppliers of oil and gas to the rest of Europe. When the sanctions against Russia were introduced, much of the West lost its main oil supply, leading prices to rocket even further.

The second reason fuel theft has been on the rise is that the number of vehicles and machinery that qualify for the red diesel tax rebate has dropped significantly since April 2022.

As we saw earlier, red diesel is taxed at a much lower rate than regular diesel (“white diesel” or “gas oil”) as it is used by businesses that might otherwise struggle with the cost of fuel. However, the UK government announced a new policy in 2020 that came into effect in April 2022, which sought to limit the number of uses that qualify for red diesel. This is part of a wider effort to bring the UK closer to reaching the net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.

So, with fuel prices higher than ever and fewer businesses qualifying for a rebate on the fuel they use, there has been a boom on the black market for the sale of stolen fuel.

Summary

Fuel thefts have long been a problem for farmers, and it has recently worsened. It is always a good idea to closely monitor your fuel supplies and insure them, but neither of these measures will prevent your fuel from being stolen in the first place.

So, with fuel prices higher than ever and more businesses having incentives to buy off the black market, there has never been a better time to invest in a little extra fuel security. Follow our advice to ensure your fuel and your farm are kept well protected.

What can you do to prevent fuel theft?

The best way to prevent fuel theft is to heighten the security across your farm. You should invest in heavy-duty locks, rig alarm systems, set up CCTV, and closely monitor your fuel supplies throughout the year.

You can also buy insurance that covers you against fuel theft and the cost of cleaning a spillage caused by the thieves. While this won’t prevent burglary, it does buffer you against paying steep costs in the event of a break-in.

So let’s jump in and look at the best ways to protect your fuel store and prevent theft.

Eight top tips to keep your farm safe from fuel theft

Lock your fuel tank store

Whether you keep your fuel in a purpose-built shed, a garage, or a small outdoor storage unit, you should keep your fuel tank store locked with heavy-duty padlocks and chains.

You should also, if possible, lock the fuel tanks themselves. You can get specialist tank locks for the caps and openings, and you should consider getting thick fuel hoses that are much harder to cut than regular ones.

Set up an alarm system

You can get two types of alarm systems to protect your fuel store. The first is a simple burglar alarm. This is a good option if you keep your fuel supply in a shed, garage, or another outhouse, as you will be alerted to any break-ins, and the alarm should immediately inform the local authorities.

The second option is a tank alarm system, which is a good idea if your fuel store is easily accessible in an outdoor tank. The tank alarm is triggered when your fuel levels drop to a certain point. So if someone tries to drain your fuel supply, you will be instantly alerted. You can also easily switch it off when you have emptied the tank yourself.

Add your fuel to your insurance

Although insurance won’t protect your fuel against thieves, it does protect your finances in the event of a burglary.

You may already have farm or contents home insurance, in which case you should ask your provider if you can add fuel cover to your policy.

If you have yet to take out any such insurance, you should consider doing so, as fuel can be one of a farm’s most valuable and easily stolen items. If you already have an insurance policy, check that it covers your fuel supply, as not all policies do.

You might also consider getting oil spill insurance. If the thieves steal your fuel and spill some of it, you will be left to pay for the environmental clean-up. Oil spill insurance covers you against these costs.

Keep an itinerary

Keeping an itinerary allows you to stay on top of exactly how much fuel you have at any time. It means you will notice if anything has gone missing, which is especially useful if you have a large supply.

Again, this won’t prevent your fuel from being stolen. Rather, it will alert you to any loss of fuel, whether there is a slow or a sudden drop in the storage tanks.

While you can manually keep your itinerary, you can also get digital devices that provide you with regular updates on your fuel supplies and work as an automated fuel management system.

Use security lights

Motion-sensor security lights are activated when they detect movement. The light then alerts you to a disturbance and scares the thief as they have been rendered easily visible.

People often pair security lights with other protective devices, but lights are a good first port of call in warding off unwanted trespassers.

Put your dogs to use

If you have farm dogs, you should consider training them to ward off trespassers or to be alerted by the scent of fuel, or both.

The former option has its drawbacks as it also means that your dogs may act aggressively towards any guests or visitors you have. However, it is probably the more effective of the two options.

The latter option ensures that your dogs won’t chase or bark at anyone and everyone who visits the farm, but it does mean that they will respond every time they smell fuel, which could become an irritating feature of the farm.

Whichever option you choose, ensure your dogs do not pose a danger to visitors or innocent passersby due to their training.

Install CCTV cameras

CCTV cameras have two functions: deterrence and identity confirmation.

If a thief sees that you have installed CCTV cameras, they will often be deterred from proceeding with the burglary for fear of getting caught.

If they proceed with the burglary, using CCTV cameras should help you and the police in your efforts to identify them.

Modern CCTV cameras can be linked to your phone, laptop, or any other monitor, so you can keep a close watch on your fuel and the rest of the property even when you are away.

Erect a fence

If you have an outdoor fuel tank, erecting a fence, wall, or gate might be a good idea. You should contact your local authority to determine how high you can build the fence while adhering to local planning permission regulations.

You can plant trees, bushes, and shrubs around the fence to camouflage the fuel store and make it even harder to climb.

What should you do if your fuel is stolen?

If a theft has occurred and the perpetrator has already left the scene, you should contact the non-emergency police number on 101. You should provide the police with any evidence you may have, such as CCTV footage. You will then be given a crime number, after which you should contact your insurance provider if your fuel store was insured.

If you see a trespasser or thief attempting to steal your fuel, then stay at a distance from them and call 999 immediately. You should note as much evidence as possible, including a physical description of the perpetrator, their vehicle registration, what they are wearing, and photographs. Do not try to confront them or alert them to your presence in any way, as this may only escalate the situation.

How do thieves steal fuel?

Fuel thieves often use a tube to siphon fuel from your tank into theirs. They may also have specialist fuel pumps that are more efficient and effective at transferring fuel.

Depending on how your fuel is stored, the thieves may also be able to steal whole tanks of it, providing they have enough manpower to move them.

Another, more subtle way fuel can be stolen is by “skimming.” This involves someone overfilling a tank and then depositing the top layer into a bottle or another tank they have. This method is more likely to be done by people with legitimate access to your fuel but who take more than they should.

How much is fuel worth?

The average fuel cost in the UK at the time of writing is 163 pence per litre of petrol and 180.4 pence per litre of diesel.

Many farms use agricultural machinery and vehicles that qualify for red diesel. Red diesel is the same as regular diesel, but it is taxed at a much lower rate to help businesses that need it to operate. Also, it is dyed red so that it stains the tanks it is used in so inspectors can clarify that it has not been misused.

Red diesel is taxed at a rate of 11.14 pence per litre, while regular diesel is taxed at a rate of 57.95 pence per litre.

Why is fuel theft rising?

Fuel theft has been rising for the past few months, and there are two main reasons behind this.

First, the cost of fuel has shot up since the end of the coronavirus lockdowns and the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The global demand for fuel and crude oil (from which fuel is derived) plummeted during the pandemic, which reduced the supply as less oil needed to be drilled.

Then, when the world started to open up again, demand quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels, but the supply side was still limited. This then drove up the oil price, resulting in the highest fuel prices on record.

The supply side issues were further compounded by the war in Ukraine, as Russia is one of the biggest suppliers of oil and gas to the rest of Europe. When the sanctions against Russia were introduced, much of the West lost its main oil supply, leading prices to rocket even further.

The second reason fuel theft has been on the rise is that the number of vehicles and machinery that qualify for the red diesel tax rebate has dropped significantly since April 2022.

As we saw earlier, red diesel is taxed at a much lower rate than regular diesel (“white diesel” or “gas oil”) as it is used by businesses that might otherwise struggle with the cost of fuel. However, the UK government announced a new policy in 2020 that came into effect in April 2022, which sought to limit the number of uses that qualify for red diesel. This is part of a wider effort to bring the UK closer to reaching the net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.

So, with fuel prices higher than ever and fewer businesses qualifying for a rebate on the fuel they use, there has been a boom on the black market for the sale of stolen fuel.

Summary

Fuel thefts have long been a problem for farmers, and it has recently worsened. It is always a good idea to closely monitor your fuel supplies and insure them, but neither of these measures will prevent your fuel from being stolen in the first place.

So, with fuel prices higher than ever and more businesses having incentives to buy off the black market, there has never been a better time to invest in a little extra fuel security. Follow our advice to ensure your fuel and your farm are kept well protected.

Also read:
Future farming: Alternatives to red diesel
Red diesel: Rules and regulations explained
What is the difference between red and white diesel?