The CLA is urging farmers across Yorkshire to protect their fuel supplies following reports of a rural crime wave.

Rocketing fuel prices and shortages of heating oil have led to a rise in the number of farmers having their vehicle and heating fuel stolen, according to insurers.

Edmund Sword of CLA Insurance Services (CLAIS) said: “Due to high global oil prices we are seeing an extraordinary increase in the price of fuel, which has triggered an increase in thefts from farms.

“Both diesel and petrol prices have gone up by more than six pence a litre in just one month while heating oil prices in the region have increased by some 50 percent since last summer. This means that farms, which often store large quantities of both heating oil and vehicle fuel, are an attractive proposition for thieves.”

Now, CLAIS has come up with a list of 10 top tips to help farmers avoid falling foul of the fuel thieves:

1. Review current security by taking note of what fuel tanks you have, where they are located, the type and value of their contents and the possible impact of their loss. This allows you to consider the present protection and how this might be improved
2. Ensure locks are fitted to manual fuel dispensing nozzles
3. Install locks on tank filler/vent caps
4. Erect fixed or removable barriers or posts or, alternatively, park vehicles so they hinder vehicle access to tanks
5. Check tank levels on a regular basis to ensure fuel is not being siphoned off
6. Use pump controls inside well-secured buildings
7. Install security lighting around fuel tanks
8. Conceal tanks with fencing panels or shrubs
9. Consider installing security cameras. Advances in technology mean that cameras, which transmit images to mobile phones, are now available for under £500
10. Look out for unfamiliar vehicles - some crooks are following delivery trucks from depots to find out which households have acquired a new supply.