SPIRALLING oil prices may be to blame for a rise in fuel thefts from rural properties, police say.

North Yorkshire Police is urging people using oil-fired heaters and other similar equipment to ensure their fuel is secure.

It is feared that people in more remote areas of North Yorkshire are among those most at risk from opportunist thieves.

Rising oil prices, coupled with the VAT increase, have contributed to petrol and diesel prices reaching record levels in recent days.

At the weekend, the UK average for unleaded petrol was 127.8p a litre, and 132.05p a litre for diesel. Prices as high as 140.9p a litre for unleaded and 144.9p a litre for diesel have been logged.

Recent incidents of oil theft have been reported in Thornton Watlass and Crakehall, near Bedale.

PC Mark Wood, of Bedale police, said 500 litres of oil was stolen from a church in the past week. He said: “I would urge anyone who has an oil tank to ensure that all its locks are secured.

“The rising price of oil would appear to be a catalyst for this type of crime. There has been two thefts of oil from domestic oil tanks around the Bedale area within the last month.

“We would also like to remind people, especially those in our rural communities, that if they see any suspicious people or vehicles, they should call the police with descriptions and registration numbers.”

Cleveland Police recorded a 33 per cent rise in the number of fuel thefts last month, compared to the same period last year, rising from 30 to 40.

A force spokeswoman said the incidents included motorists who drive away from petrol stations without paying for fuel, known as bilking.

Durham Police received more than 250 reports of fuel theft, including bilking, between April and December last year, with 22 incidents last month.

They include thefts of red diesel, the two most recent at the Leadgate and Number One industrial estates in the Consett area over Christmas.

Police are investigating whether they are linked to similar recent incidents in the Bishop Auckland and Fencehouses areas.

Anyone who hears of red diesel being offered for sale in suspicious circumstances is asked to call police on 0345-60- 60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

Anyone with information about the oil thefts in the Bedale area is asked to call 0845-60-60-24-7 or Crimestoppers.