Trailer thefts

Raiders have stolen four trailers laden with 85 tons of steel from Tony Quartermann's yard at Hoo Farm Industrial Estate, Kidderminster, in just five weeks.

He said other firms, including Lloyds of Ludlow, had also been victims.

Tony and his brother, Richard, who have 22 lorries and 30 trailers, have another yard in Great Witley. This has also suffered a spate of burglaries, including break-ins involving nine vehicles at Christmas.

"I think gangs are targeting the area. They do a professional job," he said.

"They come with tractor units, pull the barriers down, pick up our trailers and take them away."

Mr Quartermann said three of the four stolen trailers had been recovered in Wolverhampton and Walsall.

Two of them were stacked neatly on top of each other.

In a further blow, he and his brother have just been landed with a hefty insurance bill after thieves shed five tons of steel on to railings as they drove round a traffic island in Tipton, West Midlands, during one of the getaways.

"Until now we've had very little support from the police, I think they hoped it would go away," added Mr Quartermann.

"The Road Hauliers' Association has stirred them up and they have promised to look into these lorry thefts.

"Locally we think we know who is stealing from our Great Witley yard because they're trying to flog the stuff in local pubs and car boot sales, but unless you catch them in the act there is very little you can do.

"Every time we have a phone call between 5.30-6am when lorries are going out we think 'God what's missing'.

"We're just not getting a lot of sleep at the moment - if we hear a bump or thud we are up."

Mike Farmer from the Road Hauliers' Association, said at a recent meeting, members had considered hiring their own private security.

"It struck me that one doesn't tend to think of crime in the countryside but it appears to be pretty rife," Mr Quartermann added.

Police have confirmed that thefts have been reported and they are investigating.