POLICE in Plymouth are investigating the theft of a lorry, taken from the roadworks site on the A386 near the George Hotel. The vehicle is believed to have been stolen from a secure compound on Sunday evening.

The vehicle is used for tar spraying - it is a rigid Volvo 3-axle lorry with a yellow cab and a silver tank on the back. "SWH" is marked on the doors. The registration number displayed at the time of the theft was F976AWU.

A police spokesman said: "Not the kind of vehicle that gets stolen everyday. As it is so specialised it's likely it was stolen to order but because it's an unusual vehicle someone may remember seeing it leaving the site or on the road late Sunday evening or early Monday morning"

Anyone with information about the theft of this vehicle is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall police on 08452 777 444 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Police ref 422 14/2/05