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

Police are keen to speak to the occupants of a Ford Transit van who at 4.30am on Wednesday 8th November were seen removing x5 20 litre drums of used oil from a licensed premises in Portlethen.

Constable Murray of the Stonehaven Community Policing Team said ‘I would advise restaurants, hotels and fast food outlet owners to be particularly vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Police via 101. Used cooking oils are being stolen across the country and being taken south to be processed. If you have any doubts call the company that normally makes your used oil collections in order to verify identities. Thieves are on occasion presenting false identification.’

· 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 quoting reference 2104 of 08/11/2023 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Advice regarding home security measures can be found in the attached 'After Dark' booklet

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.