CROOKS have pinched nearly 2,000 litres of heating fuel, worth about £650, which had just been delivered to a home in Nettleden Road, Little Gaddesden.
Police say thieves targeted the home at some point last week
Sgt Peter Huffer said: “We believe the offenders must have had either a lorry or transit van with containers inside to carry the fuel away.”
The home is too rural to be connected to a gas mains for central heating, and relies instead on oil deliveries.
Police advise villagers to watch out for their neighbours, park in front of their oil tanks and check its oil levels regularly.
They ask anyone who is offered heating fuel from a suspect supplier to ring them on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.