Images released after £30,000 Lancashire trailer theft (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Images released after £30,000 Lancashire trailer theft

2:10pm Tuesday 12th July 2011 in Heysham news

CCTV images have been released after an HGV unit and trailer were stolen in Heysham and abandoned in Abbey Village near Chorley.

At 11.50pm on June 26, a man walked into the office of Hancocks on Heysham Business Park, took a key for one of their HGV units and drove it away.

25 minutes later, a curtain-sided 'Surefreight' trailer parked on Shore Road near to Heysham Port was stolen.

It contained approximately £40,000 of Nivea products and Quality Street chocolates.

The HGV unit and the trailer were both found abandoned on the A675 Bolton Road near to Abbey Village the following day with only a small amount of Quality Street remaining.

The total theft estimated at around £30,000.

Police have issued CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the thefts and are asking people who may recognise him to come forward.

The man is described as around five feet ten inches tall, with light blond, short hair and a tanned complexion.

PC Mark Nelson who is investigating, said: "This is a particularly unusual and well-planned theft.

"It is thought that this man could have a knowledge of the company at the business park in order to have been so specific in his actions on the night and I would appeal for anyone who may recognise the man in the CCTV to come forward.

"I would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have been in either in Heysham or in the Bolton Road area that may have seen anything suspicious, either around the times of the offences, or in the hours leading up to and following the offences to come forward."

Anyone with any information can contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers