M5 police warning as trailer full of cheeses worth ?50k ‘stolen from service station’

Police have issued a warning following a number of cargo theft incidents - including one where a trailer full of cheeses worth £50k was reportedly stolen. According to West Mercia Police[1], cargo thefts peak at this time of year and 140 such crimes have already been reported in the force's area this year later - almost double last year’s total of 83.

Toys, food, white goods, and perfumes are among the types of products that organised crime gangs are targeting for a quick resale, the force said. Haulage firms are therefore being warned to be on their guard and the public asked to be extra vigilant and not buy Christmas[2] presents or goods on the black market.

Police continued that a trailer full of cheeses with an estimated value of £50,000 was reportedly stolen from Strensham services on the M5 near the edge of Worcestershire just last Friday, December 1. Another full of household goods, including washing powder and food, was taken from the Hartlebury Trading estate near Kidderminster[3] on November 26, police say.

A spokesperson for the force said: "They have contributed to an estimated loss value of £1.35million in cargo from service stations at Frankley, Strensham, Telford and Hopwood over the past few years and officers expect there will be even more opportunities for gangs as deliveries ramp up to meet consumer demand at Christmas."

Detective Sergeant Andrew Farmer of the Field Intelligence team in South Worcestershire[5] said: “We recognise there is an increased demand for black market goods, perhaps because of inflation rises and the cost-of-living crisis but items that have literally ‘fell off the back of a lorry’ are of course illegal and acquiring them this way simply fuels more freight crime. We continue to work collaboratively with partner forces to tackle these crimes as part of Operation Yard, which sees officers deter criminal gangs from targeting delivery lorries by ensuring police are present in hot-spot areas and issue security advice to lorry drivers.”

Detective Constable Dan Griffiths, of the West Mercia Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), added: “I would encourage people to be vigilant about ‘freight crime’. If you are at a motorway service station for example, and you think you see something suspicious, please report it to us via our online portal[6] so we can investigate it.

"To road hauliers we advise that before starting your journey, decide where you are going to park overnight and use a secure overnight lorry park with the Park Mark label. Park your lorry where you can see it.

"Park with the loading doors close to another vehicle or wall. When returning to your lorry, check for signs of any interference. Record your check on a checklist.”

References

  1. ^ West Mercia Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  2. ^ Christmas (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  3. ^ Kidderminster (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  4. ^ Mayor Andy Street reveals stance on Birmingham hosting Commonwealth Games again (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  5. ^ Worcestershire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  6. ^ online portal (www.westmercia.police.uk)

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