Hospitality businesses warned after cooking oil thefts in Craven

Police in Craven are urging pubs, restaurants and takeaways to increase security after a spate of cooking oil theft incidents.

Officers say three offences happened at pubs in the area - in the space of three days.

They believe the oil may have been stolen for use in diesel cars.

The first incident occurred outside a pub in Cracoe, near Skipton, at around 3.20am on Thursday.

Unknown offenders stole a barrel of used cooking oil and a child’s toy sit-on car. A white van was seen near the property at the time of the incident.

Then on Saturday at around 8.30am, three men in a black 02-reg Mercedes Vito panel van made off empty handed after being challenged by staff members at the rear of a pub in Grassington.

However, just after 2pm the same day, the black van arrived at the rear of a pub in Settle where a full barrel of used cooking oil was taken. It is believed it was poured into another container before it was placed in the van.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact police on 101.

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• craven
• cooking oil
• Theft
• Pubs