THIEVES have carried the first raid of the autumn on heating oil from Lower Sea Lane in Charmouth.

Police have appealed for witnesses who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the seafront car park next to the Charmouth Heritage Centre.

The oil was taken overnight on Thursday September 20 and was the first theft of its kind in the autumn.

Lyme Regis Safer Neighbourhood Team officers have also warned people to fit oil tank alarms to flag up sudden level changes.

PCSO John Burton said: “Secure your tank by making unauthorised access as difficult as possible by adding cages or additional fencing.

“Security lighting can help as the majority of offences occur overnight.

“Installing the tank within a building will make it much less vulnerable but you must take appropriate expert advice before doing this.

“Defensive planting around the tank with suitable unpleasant prickly plants will help put thieves off.

“Use gravel as a surface around the tank and areas leading up to it this will make noise when walked upon.

“Consider installing CCTV to protect your tank.

“Lyme Regis SNT Officers are more than happy to give advice and explain the Stop that Oil scheme and security advice to users of heating oil.

“Officers can also give a list of participating heating oil engineers who will be happy to provide and install an alarm.