Police Scotland is asking restaurants, hotels and takeaway food outlets to be vigilant following an increase in the theft of used cooking oil from business premises in the North East.

Used cooking oils are stolen and then processed to be used in several different products by Organised Crime Groups – in particular unregulated biodiesel for sale on the black market. 

Some criminals are posing as legitimate waste removal companies to steal the oil from catering establishments and will present false identification.

Once stolen, the oil is then sold onto unsuspecting processing plants for conversion into biodiesel or is being converted into biodiesel by the criminals themselves – often in processes harmful to the environment.

If you have a contract to have your used cooking oil collected, make sure you check to confirm that it is a legitimate company that you are dealing with.

Ask for identification when drivers attend to collect from your premises. If in doubt phone to confirm.

Keep rear gardens or yards securely locked and consider CCTV and security lighting. 

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This messaging system is not for reporting crime as responses are not monitored 24/7.  If you have time-critical information regarding the content of the above message, or if you wish to report any other non-urgent matter, please call 101.  In an emergency, call 999.

Police Scotland’s North East Division covers rural and urban areas in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.  The division has five territorial command areas which have their own dedicated Area Commander, who is responsible for the daily policing function.  Each command area is served by a number of community policing teams whose activities are built around the needs of the local community.  These teams respond to local calls and look for long term solutions to key issues.  They are assisted by the division’s Crime Reduction Unit who deliver against Force and local priorities in a number of areas, including physical and social crime prevention, supporting and enhancing community engagement and creating and sustaining strong and effective partnership working.