PSNI in Fermanagh work with Housing Executive to prevent oil burner theft

by Gráinne Connolly

The police in Fermanagh are working closely with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to prevent and deter the theft of oil burners. 

The initiative is to firstly get underway in areas of Enniskillen. 

Plans are then set to roll this out in to a number of estates in Lisnaskea and Newtownbutler. 

The Housing Executive's South West Area manager, Oonagh McAvinney said: 

"This new innovative approach will hopefully deter those involved in this criminal activity. 

We hope this pilot scheme will reduce the number of incidents of oil burner thefts across the Fermanagh area."

David Glass, the Crime Prevention Office said he was pleased to be working with the NI Housing Executive in a bid to minimise the risk of theft. 

They've also been using SelectaDNA forensic marking product to help prevent theft: 

"The SelectaDNA will be used to uniquely mark property. The details are recorded on an approved database, so that a code found on an asset o rperson can be identified back to a specific owner or location. 

The serial number of the boiler and compliant parts will also be held on a central database. 

The Boiler will be given a unique reference number. This reference number will enable easy identification of a burner to a property." 

Both the PSNI and NI Housing Executive hope to build stronger and safer communities and are appealing to anyone to report any suspicious behaviour to their local police officers.