15,000 to catch a thief
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• A haulier is offering a £5,000 reward for the capture of thieves who raided his premises twice within six weeks, leaving him more than £100,000 out of pocket.
Mackay Transport of Scunthorpe lost more than £3,000 worth of tyres and tools in the most recent attack, which took place earlier this month. It followed a raid in October in which the company lost two trucks worth £90,000.
Partner Bill Mackay says that the attacks are still draining his 17-year-old bulk haulage firm: he is having to pay £400 a week to hire another 38-tonner until his insurer settles.
His firm has been the victim of attacks before; 18 months ago thieves stole tyres worth £4,000 and his fleet of eight trucks are regularly broken in to. "Undoubtedly we are targetted," says Mackay, who believes at least two of the break-ins were by the same gang.
Scunthorpe police believe there are two or three organised truck theft gangs in the area supplying a network of outlets.
Mackay says the police do not have enough resources to stop the spate of truck crime: "A few weeks ago I was working on a truck from 23:30hrs to around 01:00hrs out in the yard with a light and nobody came to check what I was doing," he says.
A security fence and locked doors were broken down in the attacks, causing over £700 damage. Now Mackay plans to spend £5,000 on an alarm system for his premises and immobilisers for his vehicles.
He is appealing to hauliers to look out for his blue and gold liveried Scania 113, registration number K411 FEE, and Scania 143, registration H290 BFU. Contact Scunthorpe police on (0724) 282888.