An Angus family have hit out at thieves who raided their outdoor fuel tank.
Jill and Allan Stevenson realised the tank at their home in Hunter Hill, Glamis, had been drained of fuel on Monday evening.
The couple estimate that around 800 litres of oil worth more than £500 was taken.
Jill, 43, said she was “flabbergasted” and “angry” at the daring daylight theft.
“Our central heating was working on Monday morning but then wouldn’t come on in the evening,” she said.
“We went outside and found the tank empty so it must have been syphoned off during the day.
“The tank was filled in August and we’ve only recently started to use our heating.
“We can see from colouring on the tank that around 800 litres has been taken.
“We were absolutely flabbergasted as we live in the perfect little home in the country and can’t believe someone has been so bold to come right up to our house and steal. We are very angry.”
Police attended the home on Monday night but were unable to take prints due to the material of the tank.
Jill, who works as an office administrator in Dundee, posted messages warning people of the theft and advising them to contact police if they were offered fuel for sale.
“I was overwhelmed by the number of kind messages and people offering us heaters,” she said.
“I posted messages on several Facebook forums and there were also quite a few people saying a similar thing had happened to them. All of the messages were supportive.
“We have been lucky and managed to arrange fuel for before Christmas, though we are now scared to fill the tank up again.
“I’d like to thank Highland Fuels who have treated us as an emergency and didn’t require any upfront payment.
“The police told us that this type of theft was quite common. We are now looking into installing CCTV at our property.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101.