What to Do If Your Heating Oil Is Stolen: First 24 Hours

You’ve checked the gauge. The tank was three-quarters full last week and it’s nearly empty now. There’s no visible leak, and you didn’t use that much oil. Someone has stolen your heating oil.

Here’s exactly what to do.

Step 1: Don’t run your boiler

If your tank level is very low, don’t attempt to run your central heating yet. Running a boiler dry — or on the dregs at the bottom of a tank — can draw sludge and sediment into the system, causing boiler damage that’s expensive to fix.

If you have very little oil remaining, treat the heating as out of action until you have a confirmed level above the minimum operating mark for your system (typically the bottom quarter of the tank). Your boiler manual should specify this.

Step 2: Check for physical evidence

Before calling anyone, take a note of:

• Any tyre tracks, footprints, or vehicle access marks near the tank
• Any damage to fencing, gates, or the tank itself
• Any marks or scratches on the outlet valve
• Whether your tank cage or lock (if fitted) has been damaged or tampered with

Take photographs of everything before anything is disturbed. This evidence matters for both the police and your insurance claim.

Step 3: Call the police

Report the theft to the police immediately. In the UK, call 101 (non-emergency line) rather than 999. Oil theft is a property crime and should be logged.

Get a crime reference number — you will need this for your insurance claim. Ask the officer if they’d like to visit to collect evidence.

Step 4: Contact your insurance company

Call your home insurer as soon as you have a crime reference number. When making the call, have ready:

• Your policy number
• The crime reference number
• Approximate volume of oil stolen and its value
• Any photos of the scene

Most standard home contents and buildings policies cover oil theft. Check your policy for:

• The oil theft excess (often higher than standard contents excess)
• Whether they’ll cover an emergency oil delivery
• Whether they cover any associated heating damage

Some policies specify that oil tanks must be reasonably secured — an installed alarm is good evidence of reasonable precautions.

Step 5: Arrange an emergency oil delivery

Most oil suppliers can offer emergency same-day or next-day delivery at a premium rate. Call your regular supplier first — they may prioritise existing customers. If they can’t help within 24 hours, try:

• Your local heating oil buying group (many rural areas have community purchasing schemes)
• Crown Oil (national, emergency delivery service)
• Kingsley Oils, Rix Petroleum, or other regional suppliers

When ordering, give an accurate volume estimate for what was stolen so you order enough to heat the property properly.

Step 6: Arrange a boiler service if needed

If there’s any chance the boiler ran dry or near-dry, arrange a service before the next full use. Running on sediment can cause damage to burner components and heat exchangers.

If you have a boiler cover plan, this call-out may be included. Without cover, expect to pay a standard service call-out rate.

Step 7: Prevent it from happening again

After the immediate crisis is managed, the question becomes: how do you stop this happening again?

Properties that have been targeted once are significantly more likely to be targeted again. Thieves keep records of accessible tanks, and often return the following winter after you’ve refilled.

The most effective measure is a dedicated tank alarm — a fuel level sensor that triggers a 110dB external siren the moment an unexpected level drop is detected. Unlike CCTV, it deters rather than records. Unlike a periodic level monitor, it responds instantly rather than after the fact.

If you’re in East Anglia and want a Tank Alarm fitted before winter hits again, book an installation here →. We can typically complete installs within 2–3 weeks of booking.