CALLINGTON police are warning people they may have to invest in CCTV to ward off criminals from stealing heating oil.

Following another theft of a large amount of heating oil, this time from a rural location in the Metherell area between January 25 and February 4, officers are asking people to think about their security.

'It's a tricky one because if you put a fence around the tank, criminals will cut the fence and if you build a wall around it you have to bury the pipe in the ground,' said Sgt Brett Philips.

'The best advice is to get a locking mechanism or an infra-red CCTV camera which maybe the cheapest option. It is much cheaper than losing hundreds of pounds of heating oil.'

Police are warning the public that once they have suffered a theft they are extremely likely to be targeted again. Police say thieves would have to use a vehicle similar to one that transports heating oil, ie, with a tank on the back.

If anyone has any information on the heating oil theft at Metherell they should contact Callington police on 08452 777444 quoting the crime number BN/11/67.

Officers would also like information on criminal damage to a shop window in Church Street, Callington overnight on February 5/6. The crime number is BN/11/71.

Police are making people aware that they can be prosecuted for theft if they chop down trees for firewood.

Sgt Philips said there had been reports of people cutting down trees in the Callington area: 'They may think the trees have no owner but they may belong to someone.'