Little a day after discussing a lorry hijack in Ross-on-Wye, a blog reader (thank you) contacted me with news of a not so dissimilar horror story.
This time armed robbers disguised as police officers set up a bogus checkpoint in Stanwell Road, Feltham and hijacked a silver Transit van carrying £400,000 of computer equipment. One of the four offenders was believed to be carrying a Taser gun.
At 11.18pm on Monday 9 November the van driver was flagged down by the robbers; two were wearing traffic officer caps and hi-vis jackets. They sprayed the driver and passenger with CS gas and forced them out of the vehicle. The hijackers drove the cargo to Stanwell Moor, Staines and unloaded the kit to their own vehicle before ditching the van.
"This was a well-organised and targeted attack aimed at a specific vehicle that the robbers knew would be carrying a high value consignment," says detective sergeant Ian Wilson of the Met Police.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
Advice from respondents to my last blog suggests that at no point should you stop for VOSA or the police if you are in the least bit suspicious.
DC Alan Soames, TruckPol head, told me freight crime is set to rise over the festive period, but if these stories are anything to go by, the haulage sector needs to be prepared and cautious of more confrontational and violent incidents.
Do you have any more advice or comments you could offer?
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