Preston tyre theft well-planned, Police believe

The Lancashire Evening Post describes the theft of almost £30,000 worth of tyres on its patch as being a “well-planned criminal operation.” Reporting the incident on July 19, the newspaper states detectives from Preston CID believe a highly organised crime gang were behind the theft, which appears to have been a well-planned operation.

Some 130 tyres were stolen from Red Scar Tyres in the Preston suburb of Ribbleton some time between 6pm last Friday and 7.45am the following morning. The Lancashire Evening Post explains the thieves are believed to have circumvented the site’s front gate security system by using another entrance as an access point. They then entered a fenced-off compound before prising open the metal shutters on a building. The quantity of tyres taken would have necessitated either the use of a large vehicle or multiple trips: “We are talking about definitely a seven-and-a-half tonne truck and probably a couple of vans to take them. It has been well organised,” Red Scar Tyres’ owner, Michael McEwan, told the newspaper.

Preston Police is now scrutinising security camera footage from the estate and they are believed to be particularly interested in tracing a blue Iveco curtain sided wagon seen entering the site at around 3am.  Anyone with information is should contact Preston Police on 01772 203203 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.