This is the moment thieves brazenly walk up to a village shop and steal more than 35 gallons of oil stored outside.

Eastern Daily Press: The fish and chip shop on Salhouse Road. Photo: Jason Fish.The fish and chip shop on Salhouse Road. Photo: Jason Fish. (Image: Archant)

The criminals targeted Jason's Fish and Chips on Salhouse Road in Rackheath at around 3.30am today (Friday, December 22).

It is the second time the business has been hit in less than a month.

On November 23, thieves took 120 litres of used cooking oil from outside the premises before making off in a transit van.

That same night, a near identical amount of oil was stolen from the back of the Grange Freehouse in Ormesby St Margaret, near Great Yarmouth.

Eastern Daily Press: The fish and chip shop is located on a main road through Rackheath. Photo: GoogleThe fish and chip shop is located on a main road through Rackheath. Photo: Google (Image: Archant)

Industry experts say stolen cooking oil is converted into unregulated biodiesel and sold on the black market.

Police confirmed they are investigating the incidents and that enquiries were ongoing.

Jason Fish, who owns the fish and chip shop in Rackheath, said the latest theft saw eight 20 litre containers of used cooking oil stolen.

He said: 'After the first incident I was told the thieves are not from this area and that I won't hear from them again. Then this happened.

'These people have no shame.'

Mr Fish said he normally receives credits for the waste oil when it is picked up by a specialist company.

He said he would have received around £150 for the stolen liquid.

'It is only a small amount of money, but that is not the point,' Mr Fish said.

'This is also about controlling the waste and ensuring it is properly disposed of.'

Lane Smith, owner of the Grange Freehouse in Ormesby St Margaret, said the criminals knew exactly where to go when he was targeted.

He said they ignored other valuable items and instead picked out the used cooking oil.

Mr Fish said the liquid has little monetary value on its own.

However, in 2013, the UK resource recovery company Olleco, which has offices in Thetford, told the BBC that cooking oil theft was costing the Treasury £25m a year in lost duty.

They said it was being stolen and converted into unregulated biodiesel for sale on the black market.

Norfolk Police said it was too early to link the latest incident with the previous thefts.

Anyone with information is asked to call Norfolk Police on 101.