HEATING oil is no longer a 'key target for rural criminals' as overall home thefts also decrease dramatically.

The annual rural crime report from NFU Mutual reveals that the total cost of thefts from rural homes decreased to £6.2 million in 2015, down from £7.1 million in the previous year.

And whilst heating oil and diesel were the third most frequently targeted items in 2014, fuel does not feature in the 2015 top five.

These were quad bikes, machinery, farm and commercial tools, followed by garden equipment and livestock.

Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, which represents the oil heating industry, said: “The report findings provide good news for oil heated households in Gloucestershire and it is encouraging to see that heating oil is no longer a key target for rural criminals.

“This trend is likely influenced by the continued fall in the price of heating oil over the past year.

“From speaking to local police constabularies it is clear that heating oil thefts are actually quite rare.

"However, households should still adopt some simple precautionary security measures such as fitting a lockable cap to tanks, installing a security light and using an electronic gauge to detect any sudden drops in fuel levels.”

For more information visit oftec.org.uk.