Computer haul taken in keys con

The theft was said to have been well planned

An articulated lorry containing £250,000 worth of computer equipment has been stolen by a thief who conned his way into getting the keys.

The vehicle had been parked outside a distribution centre in Bridgeton, in the east end of the city and was taken on Tuesday evening.

Police said the thief managed to get the keys under false pretences.

The theft was obviously well planned with the man responsible knowing exactly what he was looking for

Det Con Cliff Neil

The white R-registered lorry had Amtrak Parcels written on the side in red and blue letters.

Detective Constable Cliff Neil, of London Road CID, said the theft, between 1730 and 1805 BST, was obviously premeditated.

"Enquiries have so far revealed that after the lorry was secured and parked for a short time, the keys to it were obtained under false pretences and it was taken from the yard," he said.

"The theft was obviously well planned with the man responsible knowing exactly what he was looking for."

The man is described as between 30 and 40 years of age, 6ft 2in tall, well built, with cropped short dark brown hair.

He was wearing a blue polo shirt and dark trousers.

Police launched a hunt after a theft of £500,000 worth of computer equipment from Prestwick Aiport at the start of April.

That was also described as a well organised operation.