Gardaí in Meath have advised homeowners on how they can better protect their oil tanks from thieves, with oil prices currently expected to continue rising.

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz - which is located between Iran and Oman - has come to a standstill after it was closed by Iran.

The closure of this shipping route, which normally handles around one-fifth of the world's oil trade, has resulted in a spike in global oil prices.

In order for consumers to protect this increasingly expensive commodity, gardaí recommended the following preventative measures to avoid home heating oil thefts:

Check oil levels frequently;
Try to arrange smaller but more frequent oil deliveries;
Install automatic movement sensor security lighting around the tank;
Plant shrubs or erect fencing to screen tanks from view from the road;
Install and use lockable access gates, and erect lockable fencing around your tank, including over the top;
Consider installing CCTV;
Consider fitting an alarm system which warns if the oil level drops suddenly;
Be vigilant following a delivery;
Be aware thieves may return to steal replacement oil following an initial theft;
Note suspicious vehicles’ registration numbers and report them to gardaí.

Gardaí

Separately, gardaí in Co. Donegal appealed for information about two incidents where heating oil was stolen from rural homes.

Gardaí stated that that the thefts occurred in the Market Square area of Rathmullan between January 16 and 29.

Officers noted that the gardens of two neighbouring properties were entered and the oil was stolen from their tanks.

Following an investigation, one of the tanks was found to have been left unlocked, while the other tank had been locked but was cut open during the theft.

Gardaí in Milford have encouraged the public to contact them by calling 074-9153060 if they observed any type of suspicious activity, or possess doorbell camera/CCTV footage near the area, between those dates.