Reward offered for successful recovery of stolen van

A reward is offered for the recovery of this tipper

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A reward is being offered for the successful recovery of a local building firm’s work van after it was stolen on Monday (12 February).

Rochdale-based contractors H Bell & Sons were working on site at Fairfield Hospital shortly after 12pm, when their van, featuring a prominent new logo, was stolen by two men wearing black clothing driving a silver Vauxhall Astra.

Staff are unsure how it was stolen, as the vehicle was locked at the time and keys were with staff members.

A representative for the company said: “We now have two lads who can’t work and this is our busiest time. We’re happy to give a reward so we can continue to work.”

The CCTV from the hospital showed the two men taking the tipper van, driving out of the hospital grounds and taking a right towards Rochdale.

The representative added: “Two minutes after they left, we lost connection with the hardware tracker, which they must have disconnected.

"Our vehicle has been spotted in Wardle and on the way through Shawforth. One operative passed in on the road to Bacup and did a u-turn to follow it.

“Our registration plates have been removed and another one painted on. We reported the incident to both Greater Manchester and Lancashire Police.”

GMP and Lancashire Constabulary have been contacted for comment.

If anyone has any information relating to the theft, contact 101.

Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org