HGV driver ‘feared he had been gassed’
ITEMS BELIEVED TO BE LEGO STOLEN FROM THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT
A DRIVER feared he had been gassed in an overnight raid that saw goods stolen from a lorry reportedly loaded with Lego.
Emergency services were called to Leicester Forest East shortly after 6.20am yesterday to a report that “chemical substances” may have been used.
Wembley Road which runs through Braunstone Frith Industrial Estate was closed by police as a special appliance from the fire service was called in to assist.
Members of the public were asked to avoid the area.
A spokesman for the force said: “It was quickly established no chemical had been used and the road was reopened.”
Officers remained at the scene for several hours, where the lorry, parked in Wembley Road, has had large holes cut into its trailer.
Unconfirmed reports have suggested that a large quantity of Lego was taken from the trailer.
A witness, who works nearby, said she was told by an officer that 26 pallets had been stolen.
“We saw the road was closed and we were told the driver thought he’d been gassed overnight,” she said.
The force has not officially confirmed the number of items taken and is working with the haulage company as part of its inquiries. Images from the scene show the lorry filled with Lego-branded boxes.
The witness, who did not want to be named, said: “We’ve had a few incidents like this before where things have been stolen and I think it’s quite common.”
A spokesman for the police said: “Shortly after 6.20am, police were called after a lorry had been broken into overnight and items taken from the trailer.
“During the call it was indicated a substance may have sprayed in the lorry, which was parked in Wembley Road, Leicester.
“Police, along with fire and ambulance services, attended the scene and, in the interest of public safety, the road was temporarily closed.
“It was quickly established no chemical had been used and the road was reopened.”