Preventing Fuel TheftByRaymond D. Matkowsky
Incidences of fuel theft increase with increasing price. It is a relatively low risk undertaking and has the potential of high returns. A full tank of fuel can represent thousands of dollars.
Few people remember what it was like in the 1970s. It was a time of very high inflation and fuel embargos. The cost of fuel reached levels that many times were higher than today. The public was also limited as to how much fuel they could buy. It has been presently estimated that losses approach US$133 billion globally in the 1970s losses were greater.
Generally, thieves will either attack storage tanks or individual vehicles. Both are vulnerable. Both need to be protected from thieves.
Large Storage Tanks
Storage tanks can hold anywhere from fifty gallons (189.25 liters) and up. They represent a large potential income that very seldom is located with security in mind. The most secure location is in a manned building that can be locked and does not offer any outward tank appearances or access.
If it is not possible to site a tank indoors and it must be placed outdoors, use secure perimeter fencing that allows plenty space between the fencing and the tank. Do not use a site or fencing that would allow thieves to work unseen. You may want to use double fencing. Use locks that require a passcode. Filling and emptying stations should be kept away from the tank itself and metered.
Thieves will check delivery schedules. Do not schedule deliveries for times in which tanks will be unsupervised for hours. Make sure that deliveries are complete and accurate.
Individual Vehicles
Many of the same suggestions made about large storage tanks also pertain to individual vehicles with a few additions. Individual vehicles do require more work, but they can also be very profitable. Their protection cannot be forgotten.
First of all, they also need to be parked within well-lit perimeter fencing and cannot be left out in the open. Thieves can be relentless in pursuit of their goal and very seldom consider safety. They will use tools that can result in an explosion or fire. For this reason, vehicles should not be located close to your main building.
Most fuel tanks are in the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, they should be parked head-on so someone cannot work on the tank without being seen. Do not fill tanks with more fuel than is needed for the day.
In the 1970s, locking gas caps and anti-siphoning devices were very popular. In my opinion, these will stop the amateur and will result in a professional thieve causing more serious damage.
Unstoppable If Relentless
No matter the number of implementations you make, you will not block a determined thief. The most that can be done is to make your facility so difficult to attack that the thief will decide to move on to an easier target.
Do you have any comments or other suggestions, please share them with your fellow readers. Email me at rdm@datastats.com.
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