POLICE were involved in an hour-long car and helicopter pursuit of three men suspected of attempting to steal from lorries. Officers said the men were seen acting suspiciously near the Spittals roundabout in Huntingdon last Wednesday. They drove off, purs

POLICE were involved in an hour-long car and helicopter pursuit of three men suspected of attempting to steal from lorries.

Officers said the men were seen acting suspiciously near the Spittals roundabout in Huntingdon last Wednesday.

They drove off, pursued by police, before abandoning the vehicle on the A14 near Godmanchester and running away.

A police helicopter and dog unit were used to find the men, who were arrested.

Lorries parked in laybys on the A1, the A14 and other areas of Huntingdonshire have increasingly been targeted by thieves.

Police said groups of men have been breaking and slashing their way into lorries.

In the latest incident, police said several trucks were broken into last Wednesday while parked overnight.

Police have stepped up patrols in the affected areas.

Incidents include:

n At the Brampton Hut Travel Inn car park last Wednesday, thieves slashed the reinforced side curtains of a lorry, searched the trailer, but stole nothing.

n In St Peter's Road at about 2.30am last Wednesday, a lorry was broken into.

n On October 2, hair products and razor blades were taken from vehicles parked in Blackstone Road, Huntingdon.

n On October 10, hair products were taken from a vehicle parked on the Stukeley Meadows industrial estate.

n On October 12, cases of Benedictine brandy were stolen from a lorry parked in a layby at Godmanchester.

n On October 23, kitchen hobs were taken from a truck in a lay-by in Ellington

n On October 30, boxes of curtains were taken from a vehicle parked at Hinchingbrooke Business Park.

Det Insp Trudie Skeels said the extra patrols were to deter thieves.

"The crimes take place when the drivers are asleep at night, parked up at either fuel stations or in laybys," she said.

"Incidents have been reported in the area of St Peter's Road, Huntingdon, Brampton Hut Travel Inn car park, A1, and A14 laybys at Woolley and Catworth, and Blackstone Road, Huntingdon.

"In some cases three or four men, all wearing balaclavas, have approached the parked vehicles and slashed the curtains to gain access."

n A 30-year-old man, a 32-year-old man and a 34-year-old man, all from Essex, have been arrested for conspiracy to steal. They have been bailed to appear at Huntingdon police station in January.

INFORMATION: Contact Det Insp Skeels on 0845 4564564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.