Operation launched to target A1 thefts

Police have stepped up patrols on the A1 in Nottinghamshire following a series of thefts targeting resting drivers and their vehicles over a 40-mile stretch.

Nottinghamshire Police have launched Operation Magna to combat the thefts, which include 99 incidents of vehicles being targeted for fuel and 38 thefts of goods from curtain-sided lorries between 1st December, 2014 and 14th June, 2015.

Almost half of all the offences have targeted lorries parked in laybys, rest areas, garages and service stations.

Sergeant Steve Hunter, who is leading the operation, said: “Taking a rest is absolutely essential for the safety of many drivers using this stretch of road and thieves have been taking advantage of this to commit their crimes.

“We are asking all drivers to remain vigilant, to think about where they are parking and try to park in the well-lit rest areas which could be enough to deter would-be thieves.

“So many of these incidents have seen fuel stolen so we recommend drivers park with their fuel tanks facing the road wherever possible to make them more visible to passing motorists and, when parked in service stations or parking areas, we recommend drivers park with their fuel caps close to other vehicles to help deter would-be thieves. ”

“We are also appealing to farmers and landowners to report anything suspicious to police as many offenders are targeting these vehicles by travelling undetected across open countryside and farmland, rather than using the main highway.

“Local response and neighbourhood policing officers have been stepping up their patrols as they try to trace those responsible and prevent further thefts on what is a major arterial route for goods being transported throughout the country.”

Anyone with information about these offences is asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 913 of 26 June 2015.

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