A MAN has been cautioned after the theft of cooking oil from a Great Yarmouth restaurant.

The owner of the Regent Road business discovered the theft after returning to the restaurant in the early hours of Tuesday, July 17 when he realised he had left his mobile phone behind.

He heard noises at the back of the premises and found two men with a white Ford Transit loading 200 litres of old cooking oil into the van.

As they were not his regular collectors he challenged them and they initially told him they worked for a company before admitting this was not true. They then left.

Police enquiries to trace the vehicle involved led officers to a 25 year old man from Norwich. He was arrested on Wednesday, July 25, interviewed by officers and admitted taking the oil. He was then cautioned for theft.

This latest incident follows reports of similar thefts across the county and police are now urging restaurateurs to take precautions to deter thieves. For more advice call a crime reduction officer or safer neighbourhood team on 101.