Dornoch restaurant cooking oil theft sparks appeal from Police Scotland officers in the Highlands; the Sutherland theft comes after rising cooking oil prices sparked an increase in such thefts across the UK - crime which costs the UK treasury £25m a year

Police have appealed for information after thieves stole cooking oil from a restaurant in Dornoch.

The incident took place in St Gilbert Street at around 7.30am on Saturday, February 15.

A police spokesperson said: Two men were seen loading oil into the rear of a white van with a black bonnet.

“If you were in the area around this time and remember seeing a vehicle fitting this description, please get in touch with us quoting ‘incident 1191 of February 15’, either via 101 or via our website at www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us.

“We strongly encourage all business owners who have their waste cooking oil collected for recycling to ensure it is stored securely and out of sight. Make your premises hostile to criminals.”

Cooking oil thefts have increased across the UK in recent years as its value rises. The issue has grown so much that the UK treasury estimates the theft of cooking oil from commercial premises now costs it £25 million in lost revenue every year.

For tips on how to secure your cooking oil visit https://orlo.uk/NBCC_Crime_Prevention_KQWLC.

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