Rise in used cooking oil thefts hits restaurants and snack bars
Criminals in the Netherlands and Germany are targeting snack bars and restaurants to steal used cooking fat, which they then sell via illicit networks. Most of these thefts take place at night, with criminals using a vehicle, hose, and pump to quickly drain used cooking fat from outdoor containers or tanks at restaurants and snack bars.
Used cooking oil has gained market value as it can be converted into biodiesel, animal feed, and other products. This provides thieves with quick cash, which is the primary reason the theft of frying oil has risen noticeably in recent years.
In certain countries, restaurants and cafés can profit from used cooking oil, which encourages thieves to steal it before it is picked up by official recycling services. The stolen oil is frequently sold to illicit processors or shipped to countries with strong demand, which complicates detection and enforcement efforts.
Industry sources and experts say that stealing frying fat is not merely a petty crime; in some cases, it involves organized gangs tapping containers and tanks at business parks, snack bars, and restaurants.
Six men recently stood trial in Ghent, Belgium, for stealing and reselling large quantities of stolen frying oil, with the proceeds reportedly exceeding half a million euros, according to the court.
Police investigations in Germany show that gangs regularly steal frying fat, even going so far as to transfer entire barrels overnight or pump out jerrycans, costing the hospitality sector millions of euros per year. Some of the stolen shipments are reportedly even smuggled to the Netherlands.
Beyond the financial hit, the restaurants and snack bars may face costs for repairing containers and security, and their waste disposal operations are often disrupted.
As these thefts have surged, entrepreneurs are installing cameras, GPS trackers on oil containers, and additional locks to protect their used fat. Authorities in multiple countries acknowledge the problem as a rising trend, with certain incidents now treated as organized crime.
