An organised crime group is stealing used cooking oil from hospitality venues across the north-east and selling it on to be used as vehicle fuel, police have warned.
Five hotels and restaurants in Aberdeenshire have been targeted in the last three weeks, including four in Stonehaven and one in Aboyne.
In the latest incident today, the owner of the Creel Inn at Catterline caught a thief in the act.
Marc Dawson said: “They were trying to help themselves but I saw them doing it and told them to put it back and they left.
“They knew they were doing something wrong. They were just chancing their luck”.
Not a victimless crime
Although used cooking oil is a waste product, stealing it is not a victimless crime.
Marc explained: “I get money for the used oil from the company that I buy my fresh oil from. It’s not a lot of money but they’re using the oil to make diesel for vehicles.”
The businessman took photos of the culprits and their van for the police to investigate further.
It’s not the first time such an incident has occurred in the area.
In the middle of January, The Ship Inn at Stonehaven was almost scammed into emptying their tanks by someone pretending to be from a company they deal with.
The proprietor Simon Cruickshank said: “This guy came into the bar and said ‘I’m here to pick up your used cooking oil.’
“But one of my kitchen workers said ‘no, you’re not having it.’
“The people that we buy the new oil from take away the old oil, and she knew that.”
‘Totally brazen opportunists’
But after the failed attempted theft, thieves tried again and were successful.
Mr Cruickshank estimated around 300 litres was stolen three weeks ago and the proprietor revealed his business suffered another theft overnight.
It came after staff turned away two men and their van yesterday.
“They’re totally brazen opportunists,” said Mr Cruickshank, who posted a picture of the suspects’ van on social media.
“It seems to be rife. I can only assume it’s to do with the price of diesel. Diesel prices have gone through the roof.
“But they’re stealing something that we get money for. We’re the victims. Legitimate companies are losing out as well.”
Other hospitality venues targeted
The Marine Hotel in Stonehaven also confirmed thieves removed waste oil from its property.
The Belvedere Hotel in the town was also targeted last Saturday although the thieves were unsuccessful.
Crime reduction officer Pc Mike Urquhart said the rising cost of fuel is driving the spike in this type of crime and he believes an organised crime gang from London are behind it.
He said: “We are seeing an increase in used cooking oil theft from hotels, restaurants and fast-food outlets.
“The used cooking oil is being taken south to London to be processed into green fuel which can be used in vehicles”.
Used cooking oil thieves are striking everywhere across Scotland, according to Police Scotland.
Pc Urquhart said: “The thieves are presenting themselves as being from a legitimate company.
“The thieves are presenting false identification, presenting themselves as being very professional – turning up at a hotel, fast-food outlet or whatever it happens to be.
“The staff are just assuming that it’s just a normal collection and they’re making off with the cooking oil.
“A lot of people think ‘what’s the harm in it because they’re stealing something that most companies would have to pay to get rid of anyway?’
“But they’re defrauding the legitimate companies as well as subsidising other areas of criminality that they’re involved in.”
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