DETECTIVES are seeking witnesses to an audacious £1m lorry hijacking on the M53 motorway in Ellesmere Port.
Cheshire police are offering a £50,000 reward for information about the crime, as well as staging a roadside reconstruction in a bid to net witnesses.
A 46-year-old driver from Montgomery Transport in Lancashire was travelling towards Birkenhead Docks on Thursday afternoon when a car with four men inside pulled up in front of him.
The Ford Galaxy vehicle, which appeared to be from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), had an illuminated sign which said “follow me”.
As a result the driver, who was travelling from Deeside, stopped near junction seven where two men forced him to comply with their demands.
He was told to continue to Birkenhead docks, where he completed his delivery, before swapping his trailer for another which contained cigarettes worth £1m.
Police believe the hijackers then followed the lorry to the M56 Hapsford Services where they attached the trailer to their own cab, which then fled the scene.
The driver, who was left shocked and distressed by his ordeal, was later found along with his cab in Humberside.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nigel Parr said: “This had a major effect on the driver. We are doing everything we can to bring the offenders to justice.”
A similar lorry to the one targeted will be parked at the scene of the hijacking tomorrow (Thursday) to jog memories.
If you have any information contact Detective Sergeant Nigel Parr on 01244 613131, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.
