Appeal for information following high value theft in Northwich

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and video footage following a high value theft on Manchester Road in Northwich.

At around 2.30pm on Tuesday 7 February, a white articulated lorry was driving on the A559, Manchester Road, travelling towards Manchester.

As the lorry approached the traffic lights, outside the Costa Coffee drive-thru, the vehicle in front, a silver Honda Civic, slammed on the brakes and appeared to take a long time to pull out when the lights turned green.

The driver continued his journey and as he looked in his wing mirror he became aware of a white transit van which was directly behind him.

As the lorry approached the next set of traffic lights at the junction of the A556, the Honda Civic again stopped sharply once more.

Becoming suspicious, the driver pulled over at the side of the road and attempted to take a photo of the transit van behind him.

However, as he did so, the van drove the wrong way around the junction and joined the A556 travelling towards Chester.

After checking his vehicle, the driver discovered that approximately 5,000 cigarettes had been stolen.

Police have since recovered the stolen cigarettes and the white transit van after a member of the public reported suspicious activity in the White Park Close area of Middlewich at 4.50pm on 7 February.

However, no arrests have been made and officers are now appealing for information from the public.

Police Constable Dan Lee, of Northwich CID, said:

“This incident took place on one of the main roads through Northwich on a busy weekday afternoon and we know that there were other motorists in the area who may have witnessed the theft.

“As part of our ongoing investigation, I’m keen to hear from anyone who was travelling on Manchester Road, Lostock, between 2pm and 2.30pm and believes that they may have seen anything suspicious.

“The same goes for any motorists with dashcam footage, this includes motorists who may have seen the van as it travelled down the A556, towards Chester, and onto King Street.

“We are also keen to hear from residents in the White Park Close area of Middlewich who believe they may have seen, or have any video footage, of the offenders following the incident – at around 3.30pm

“I would ask anyone with any information, no matter how small, to call the team here at Northwich on 101, or online at www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us, quoting IML 1473814.”

Information can also be reported anonymously, vis Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.