Warning to lorry drivers after theft on A38 near Berkeley (From Gazette Series)

Warning to lorry drivers after theft on A38 near Berkeley

3:37pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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POLICE are urging lorry drivers to be on their guard after a theft from a haulage carrier on the A38.

The vehicle was parked for the driver to rest in a lay-by near Berkeley. When the driver woke up he found the side curtains on the trailer had been cut and up to 50 new tumble dryers had been stolen.

The incident happened between 8pm on Wednesday, February 3 and 12.30am on Thursday, February 4.

Officers investigating the theft are calling for information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident and are warning other lorry drivers to be cautious when parking overnight.

PC Mark Godsland, crime prevention design advisor, said: "Drivers need to take regular breaks but sadly vehicles parked in lay-bys or isolated industrial estates can be targeted by thieves.

"We would like to encourage drivers to choose their lay-by sites carefully, make sure they are not in an isolated area, in a well lit area if possible and if they can to try and park near other drivers.

“We have provided signs in both English and other languages to warn drivers of such thefts on the main routes through Cotswold and Stroud.

"We are also working with the Haulage Association to provide crime prevention advice to drivers and companies and send this message to the wider community that they work with."

Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 20 of February 4. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.