Three men have been arrested after more than £4,000 worth of heating oil was taken from properties in east Kent.

Since Sunday, March 1, Kent Police have received five reports of oil being taken from properties in Ashford, Stelling Minnis and Etchinghill.

Around £1,500 of oil was reported missing from a property in Etchinghill, close to Folkestone, between 8am on Friday, March 27 and 7.30am on Tuesday, March 31.

A further £1,500 of heating oil was taken from a second address in the village between 9pm on Tuesday, March 31 and 7am the next day.

Police also report that £700 worth of oil was taken from a property in Stelling Minnis between Sunday, March 1 and Sunday, March 29.

Also, between 1am and 3am on Monday, April 6 around £400 of oil was reported missing from an address in Brabourne Lees, near Ashford.

"As the weather warms up, now is the time to check your fuel tanks and consider their security." - Det Sgt Lopa McDermott

Police also received a report of an attempted theft at around 2am on Wednesday, April 1 in Acrise.

Now, three men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal heating oil.

A 33-year-old man from Dartford, a 29-year-old man from Strood and a 41-year-old man from Chatham have all been bailed until Tuesday, June 23, pending further inquiries.

Now, officers are urging residents who use domestic heating oil tanks to heat their homes to make sure they are secure for the summer.

Det Sgt Lopa McDermott, of Kent Police, said: "As the weather warms up, now is the time to check your fuel tanks and consider their security.

"Thieves will know that the heating oil tanks will be full and not in use during the summer – especially in rural areas and they will look out for opportunities to steal the contents.

"Home owners are reminded to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity they witness - especially of vehicles or persons in the area that appear to be paying extra attention to properties."

For crime prevention tips or details of policing in your area, call 101 or visit www.kent.police.uk.