Millions of pounds worth of goods are stolen from lorries every year in modern-day highway robberies.

And the hit can take just a couple of minutes.

Essex Police staged a reconstruction in Chelmsford to highlight the problem. The "thieves" broke into a lorry and stole the cargo in minutes.

The scenario presented by the police showed the thieves pulling up to the stationary lorry. They then cropped the bolt off the back doors, loaded up their van with boxes and escaped.

The mock-up theft was watched by Home Office minister Charles Clarke at the launch of a newly-formed partnership to crack down on lorry looters.

The renamed National Stolen Lorry Desk, run by Essex Police for forces nationwide, is teaming up with insurance and haulage companies.

They will supply funding to expand the lorry desk and intelligence can be passed between member organisations.

Mr Clarke said: "HGV theft and loss of loads represents just one per cent of vehicle theft, but the effect of these losses is dramatic, costing the haulage industry some £260 million each year.

"Intelligence-led policing is crucial in our fight against crime, and this database will enable police and the industry to hit back at the thieves."

In March 1998 thieves stole £1,000 worth of clothing from a lorry in Manningtree. With help from the lorry desk other forces were brought into the investigation.

As a result 90 per cent of the goods were recovered and a major operation, involving three forces, was launched. Four people have since been convicted.

It's as easy as this -- the raid on a lorry during the reconstruction.

Picture: SEANA HUGHES

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.