Two arrested in Oban after spate of cooking oil thefts

Police in Oban have arrested two people after a nationwide spate of thefts of cooking oil, a meeting has heard.

The substance is said to be of value to offenders because of its ability to be turned into unregulated fuel.

However, an update to councillors advised that arrests had been made locally, with the offence attributed to a rise in acquisitive crime in the area.

The details were discussed at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee on Thursday, August 28.

A report by police in advance of the meeting said: “This was the result of an organised crime group, based in England, who were committing crimes continuously all over the UK.

“We are pleased to advise that through work done locally, we were able to identify vehicles involved, leading to the arrest of two males and seizure of one of the vans involved within Scotland.

“There is a wider criminal framework, but for now the thefts have abated within Argyll and Bute.”

Chief superintendent Gary I’Anson then added during the meeting: “Serious and organised crime groups operating in England are travelling across the country to steal cooking oil and sell it in large quantities.

“The value rises into the millions which they can make from that. We managed to arrest two males and seize one of their vans, which was an eye-opener to us, especially with people from down south operating in the Oban area in relation to that.”

According to advice published by another police force last year, offenders were stealing used and unused cooking oil to transform into unregulated biodiesel which was then sold on for a profit.

The advice added: “They will often travel in transit style vans, storing large drums in the rear of the vehicle, and often fraudulently pose as a legitimate collector in order to steal the oil.”

Restaurant owners were advised to know who their grease collector was, and what days of the week they attended, as well as taking other actions.

Meanwhile, officers also reported a developing trend in the Oban area relating to mechanical plant, tools and diesel thefts from remote work sites.

The report said: “Again, such activity is normally more organised in nature and tends to be committed by offenders from outside of Argyll.

“On July 24 we apprehended a group of three males targeting a site in Taynuilt, where they were found in the process of trying to steal diesel. All males have been charged and released with conditions not to enter Argyll.”