Taxi drivers in North Manchester have helped find a van that had been stolen. Five taxi firms were contacted when the van was taken and an emergency plea was put on the internal radio system. The white Ford Transit van which contained expensive tools and equipment was stolen from Birch Industrial Park.
The thief pick-pocketed the key’s from the driver while he stopped at a fast food van, before quickly driving off. Witnesses who were also buying breakfast at the mobile food van called the police while another driver tried to give chase in his own vehicle, but he was forced to give up as the stolen van accelerated to over 90mph. The van belonged to Aquablast who are a jetting and Drainage Company and they were carrying out work on a nearby site. Mark Horridege, the managing director, was contacted by the worker and it was he who decided to contact all of the local taxi firms to report the stolen van and ask them to keep a lookout while on the streets.
Aquablast are delighted to have the van back and have warned all workers to be more aware when they are working. The van was not new and like many other firms in the UK they are buying older vans with higher mileages in an effort to save money. This is also helping firms save money when looking online for a cheap van insurance quote.
Mark said: “The vehicle went from right under the employee’s nose; he was only about 10ft away. Within minutes a driver from Eagle Cars 2000 spotted the van in Morrison’s car park in Heywood town centre. Thanks to a team effort and community spirit, the van was found intact and all considered the minimum of damage had been done. This story may act as a deterrent to these petty criminals if they know that the public and community generally are all helping do their bit to eliminate such crimes – praise deservedly goes to the keen helpers at the taxi ranks.”