Olds RCMP Press Release:
With fuel being an essential part of daily agricultural operations, Olds RCMP is encouraging farmers and rural property owners to take steps to protect fuel supplies and equipment from theft.
During busy periods such as planting and harvest, equipment and fuel may be left unattended in fields or other remote locations.
These areas can be more difficult to monitor and may present additional opportunities for theft.
Taking a few simple precautions can help deter thieves and make suspicious activity easier to identify.
Olds RCMP offers the following tips to help farmers and rural property owners reduce the risk of fuel theft:
- Improve lighting around fuel storage areas and equipment to make it more difficult for unauthorized activity to go unnoticed.
- Install motion-activated lights near equipment, fuel tanks, pumps, and dispensing areas.
- Ensure existing yard lighting adequately covers fuel and equipment storage areas.
- Replace burned-out bulbs promptly.
- Consider solar-powered lighting in areas where electrical access is limited.
- Use durable, weather-resistant locks on tank caps, valves, and access points.
- Lock fuel pumps and dispensing equipment when they are not in use.
- Consider installing anti-siphon devices or valves to make unauthorized fuel removal more difficult.
- Use fuel-cap locks on tractors, combines, trucks and other equipment that may be left unattended.
- Regularly check fuel inventory and tank levels to help identify a theft or loss quickly.
- Compare fuel consumption with expected equipment and field activity.
- Investigate unexplained drops in fuel levels as soon as possible.
- Remove keys and secure equipment whenever it is not in use.
- Park equipment in a location that is visible from nearby residences or buildings, when practical.
- Consider additional security measures, such as cameras or trail cameras, for equipment that must remain in remote locations.
- Post signage indicating that the property is monitored by video surveillance, where applicable.
If fuel or equipment is stolen, report the incident to police as soon as possible.
Prompt reporting can help police gather information while it is still fresh and identify potential connections between incidents in neighbouring rural areas.
Please contact Olds RCMP to report events in relation to theft or any other criminal activity. For more safety tips follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X @RCMPAlberta.
