Chip Shops Targeted by Cooking Oil Thieves

Organised crime gangs are increasingly targeting chip shops, takeaways, and restaurants across Scotland for their used cooking oil. This valuable commodity, often stored in containers for recycling into biodiesel, has become a target for criminals.

Between April and October of last year, Police Scotland recorded 178 incidents of cooking oil theft. These thefts resulted in approximately £20,000 in lost revenue for catering businesses. The incidents have been described as brazen, with some occurring in broad daylight.

Authorities have identified an organised criminal element involved in these thefts. The stolen oil is often sold to legitimate recyclers who then manufacture products such as biodiesel, a renewable fuel for transport. This trend is reportedly causing significant financial and operational problems for businesses already facing rising costs.