POLICE have issued security advice for residents and businesses in West Devon after a spate of heating oil thefts across the area in recent weeks.

Oil valued at £556 was stolen from All Saints Church in Okehampton shortly before Christmas, and Bridestowe Village Hall recently had approximately 400 litres stolen from its tank.

Police Sgt Richard Crosby said that, with prices very high for this commodity there is a great temptation for people to steal it.

He said: 'Once they do manage to access oil it is just as easy to steal one litre as to empty the tank.'

He advised users of heating oil to ensure their tank is locked and protected by an alarm, adding: 'Alarms are easy to buy and install with no special skills or tools required — ask your heating oil supplier or Google "oil tank alarm", as being cold is no fun, and a few simple precautions will go a long way to protect you.'

The alarms cost around £70 and could save you hundreds of pounds in the long run.

Oil thefts across the county over the last few months have run into many thousands of litres.