| Official figures from the UK indicate
that home heating oil bills have risen by a staggering 84 per
cent in just one year.
The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirms
fears about the rate at which domestic heating costs are increasing.
Oil prices have soared to almost $140 (€89.93) per barrel
recently, though they have dropped back slightly this week
to around $134 following an emergency meeting of global oil
producers over the weekend.
The Guardian newspaper reports that the soaring value of
domestic heating oil has resulted in a raft of anecdotal reports
of thefts from tanks in rural areas.
Home heating oil supplies are being targeted by thieves who
are using the oil to both heat homes and run their cars.
The farmers union insurers in Britain estimate that members
have had around £100,000 worth of domestic fuel stolen
since the start of 2008.
A farmers' wife died this week after she caught thieves stealing
diesel from a tank. Rosemary Dove was calling police about
intruders when she had a heart attack and died before paramedics
arrived at the scene.
Click
here to view home heating oil price trends.
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