Nottinghamshire Police have launched Operation Magna which aims to stop thefts of fuel and goods from vehicles along the A1 in Nottinghamshire.
Police have stepped up patrols of the 40-mile stretch between Harworth and Newark following a series of thefts targeting resting drivers and their vehicles.
Operation Magna has been launched following 99 reported incidents of vehicles being targeted for fuel and 38 thefts of goods from curtain-sided lorries over the last 7 months.
Almost all of these offences were aimed at lorries parked in laybys, garages, rest areas or service stations.
Sergeant Steve Hunter from Nottinghamshire Police who is leading the new operation, said that taking a rest is essential but thieves are taking advantage of drivers at that point 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 areas which could be enough to deter would-be thieves.
Sergeant Steve Hunter from Nottinghamshire Police.
He said: “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.”
Police are advising drivers to park with their fuel tanks facing the road when possible to make it more visible to passers by to deter potential thieves.
Anyone with information is being asked to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 913.
