HGV crime crackdown in North Yorkshire

Police have launched a pre-Christmas campaign to combat thefts from trucks parked up in North Yorkshire.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police are encouraging drivers to report any suspicious activity in laybys and lorry parks along the A1, A19 and A66, following a spate of overnight thefts from lorries parked up.

Over the past six months there have been 27 reports of theft from HGVs across the county with nine of them in the Hambleton and Richmondshire area.

Extra patrols will be put on in the run up to Christmas day and high visibility posters have been produced to encourage people to report suspicious behaviour.

Traffic Sgt John Lumbard, says: "We are seeing an increase in the number of thefts from vehicles parked overnight and urge everyone to tell us if they see anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.

"Vehicles are carrying a huge amount of stock at this time of the year and are seen as easy pickings for these thieves. We are working together to beat them but need everyone's help - especially the drivers."

Earlier this month Sainsbury's was a victim of crime after vans at its Foss Islands store were ransacked.