Thieves targeting LP gas cylinders

FOCUS ON CRIME with Dickson Chitake

With the rise in the cost of electricity and increasing load shedding, most households in urban areas are shifting to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The shift has, however, resulted in an increased demand for gas tanks on the market and gave a decent value to tanks which unscrupulous people have taken advantage of.

Current reports show that thieves are targeting gas cylinders adding to other commonly stolen valuables like cellphones, laptops, pieces of jewelry, and cash, among other electrical gadgets that can easily be converted into cash.

Recently, it was copper cables and aluminum pipes from farms, swiftly followed by manhole covers and outdoor garden taps which were stolen and later sold as scrap metals to recycling companies.
Now, thieves have found yet another lucrative and potentially explosive source of income, used and disused gas cylinders.

Organised criminals are targeting households that rely on LP gas for domestic and commercial purposes.

Tanks are most often stolen for scrap and use in the illegal methamphetamine production industry or simple black-market resale or sell to scrap dealers but there could be even more sinister possibilities. It is time to take the next step in improving tank security, especially the use of cages in vulnerable locations.

Scrap metal prices have increased sharply due to rising demand. Stolen gas tanks have found a safe destination there.

If locks and cages are the targets, one easy solution would be to secure each tank with a set of reusable keyed-alike locks. If you secure each tank and then lock your cage, even the most technical thief will not get further than the cage.

Residents are implored to improve security measures at their premises to minimise the risks of falling prey to such heartless people.

Households and businesses should upgrade to a hardened steel padlock, ensure that surveillance cameras are working well, inform other businesses and households about the thefts, and immediately report any thefts to the police.

Cases of thefts of gas cylinders are rampant in very high density suburb compared to sparsely populated areas like farms where stock rustlers maraud.

To curb this, residents should put identification marks on every gas tank such that they reduce its value on the market.

Giving a gas cylinder an identification mark is distinguishing it from other gas cylinders in the shop or that other people already have.

The identification mark can be your driver’s license number, National Registration number, date of birth and initials that you inscribe on the gas cylinder and the mark can be the same on all your other valuables in the house.

The identification mark should be permanent, durable and highly visible.

Residents where possible, should avoid buying second-hand goods as they risk buying or being found in possession of stolen items.

Purchasing pre-owned commodities is a wrong way of doing business as this will promote thieves.
If all the residents are against crime, then they should refrain from buying stolen items or opt to buy only from reputable suppliers, these thieves will eventually lose their market.

While law enforcement agencies have the mandate to secure the lives and properties of the people, individuals must act responsibly.

Every member of the community is expected to participate in crime prevention activities.