Thieves are heavily targeting businesses in a fuel-related crime trend.
Police have warned that used cooking oil, stolen from premises in Norfolk, can be sold and converted into biofuels for diesel vehicles or alternative heating sources.
Businesses in the county are being urged to remain vigilant following a series of thefts and attempted thefts.
A family-run tearoom and restaurant on the Norfolk Broads recently reported confronting two men who appeared to be attempting to steal used oil.
A spokesperson for Norfolk Constabulary said: "Used cooking oil can be sold on to create biofuels for use in diesel vehicles, or for use as an alternative to heating oil, making it a target to thieves.
"We encourage everyone who uses and disposes of cooking oil to be vigilant to this crime and to report any concerns to us, using our online reporting forms or by calling 101."
As waste oil must be stored safely and cannot legally be poured down drains, businesses accumulate it for collection, so theft may not be noticed immediately if oil levels are not checked frequently.
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