Thieves stole a consignment of Xbox 360 consoles worth £750,000 when they hijacked a lorry shortly after it left a depot near Lichfield, Staffordshire.

The Microsoft console, which retails at between £200 and £300, is destined to be close to the top of most youngsters’ wish list for presents this Christmas.

The robbery comes after a separate incident at the depot, operated by Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, a week ago when a trailer containing Xbox 360s worth £260,000 was taken.

Staffordshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the hijacking, which happened on Monday shortly after 5am on the A38.

The gang, understood to be at least three men who were believed to be driving a Range Rover and Rover saloon, indicated to the lorry driver to slow down. He believed that they were informing him there was something trapped under his wheels so he pulled over on the southbound carriageway at Hilliard’s Cross.

The gang attacked the driver before making off with the lorry. It was later found — empty — on the A38 at Minworth, Warwickshire.

The lorry driver was taken to hospital for treatment but his injuries are thought to be only superficial.

Peter Stevens, of Staffordshire Police, said that the items were in high demand at this time of year.

The investigation has yet to determine whether the two thefts are linked. Mr Stevens said: “We are appealing for information from anyone who is offered these games in suspicious circumstances, such as in a pub, at a car boot sale or off the back of a lorry.”

Martin Meyer, the managing director of Hellmann Worldwide Logistics UK, the distribution company, said that an internal review had been ordered. He said: “Obviously our primary concern lies with the driver who, thankfully, suffered only minor injuries and has been discharged from hospital.

“As the police investigation is still under way, we do not wish to disclose any further information about the incident at this stage. However, I can confirm that as a business, the safety of our employees and our fleet is paramount. Therefore, following the event on Monday we have already begun a thorough internal review.”

A spokesman for Microsoft said: “The Xbox 360 is Microsoft’s latest, most up-to-date console. It was one of the first next generation consoles because of its features and the power it holds. It is quite an in- demand gadget for Christmas.”

News-Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk