THIEVES cut their way into a heavy goods vehicle and stole thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment.

Police have issued a witness appeal following the raid on the vehicle which was parked in Shorten Brook Way, Altham.

Officers said the driver who is believed to be Romanian, was asleep in the cab of the lorry at the time of the raid at around 3.40am on Monday.

Up to five men are said to have approached the lorry and cut a hole in the side.

Three crates carrying thousands of pounds worth of Fujitsu Siemens processors were unloaded from the vehicle and into a waiting van, police said.

The driver of the lorry is said to have disturbed the men during the raid and they fled in the van, officers said.

The driver of the lorry was not injured but left shaken.

A police spokesman said: “This is an extremely concerning incident which has left the victim shaken.

“I would urge anyone with information or anybody who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the incident to contact us immediately.”

The spokesman said the suspects are described as five men between the ages of 20 and 25.

No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

The spokesman said: “We were called at around 4am on November 28 to reports of a vehicle crime in Shorten Brook Way, Altham.

“At around 3.40am five men have approached the side of a waggon and cut a hole in the side.

“They have then entered the vehicle and unloaded three pallets containing Fujitsu Siemens processors.

“During the incident they have been disturbed buy the victim who was asleep in the front cab.

“They have made off from the scene in a white commercial van.

“The suspects are described as five males between the ages of 20 and 25.

“No arrests have been made at this stage.

“The victim was uninjured in the incident.”

Anybody with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log number 119 of November 28 or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.