'Ruthless' thieves stealing pub's used cooking oil

4 hours ago

Luke Deal,in Uffordand

Alice Cunningham,Suffolk

News image — Landlady Polly Durant said the thefts were having an impact on her staff

Luke Deal/BBC Polly Durant stands in front of her pub. She has light brown hair that is tied up behind her head. She wears a black coat with a blue jumper underneath. — Landlady Polly Durant said the thefts were having an impact on her staff

A pub landlady said "ruthless thieves" had been stealing the used cooking oil she returns to suppliers for a credit on her bill.

Polly Durant, who runs the Ufford Crown in Ufford near Woodbridge, Suffolk, said about 100 litres (22 gallons) had been taken from outside the pub in the past year.

She believed it was being turned into diesel and feared there would be more thefts due to recent oil price increases caused by the Middle East conflict.

Durant has given CCTV footage to police but the quality of the images has not been good enough to trace the thieves.

Luke Deal/BBC A view of the pub's rear car park where there are dark stains on the floor where oil has been spilt. Large bins sit at the back of the property and there is a red car parked up. — The thieves spilt some oil at the rear of the property during one incident, causing damage

Durant said used cooking oil was placed in a bin for an oil company to collect, for which the pub received about £40 to £60 in credit.

But there have been several incidents where the oil company has arrived to find nothing in the bin.

In one instance the thieves also caused damage to the property by spilling oil.

Durant said it was still clearly visible and she did not know how they were going to remove it.

Luke Deal/BBC A yellow bin with a green lid sits in between a wooden fence and white pub. It has been chained to a post behind it. — The used oil is kept in a bin at the back of the pub for an company to collect

"It's bad enough when someone is trespassing and stealing, let alone when you then discover they've damaged your property," she said.

"It's a horrible feeling. These people are ruthless. They come along and feel like they are taking what's theirs.

"It's only a small amount of money we get back in credit, but it means a lot to us because every penny counts, the pub industry at the minute is having a hard time.

"When things like this happen it's just really upsetting for everyone, all the staff and team."

Suffolk Police has been approached for comment.