Police hunting for thieves who abandoned a stolen forklift on a busy dual carriageway at Sleaford

Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen a person or people walking away from a JCB forklift that was carelessly abandoned by thieves on the busy A17 Sleaford bypass yesterday morning (Wednesday).
Traffic hazard. This JCB forklift was stolen from a building site near King's Lynn and thieves made it as far as Sleaford before running out of fuel. EMN-181220-100118001Traffic hazard. This JCB forklift was stolen from a building site near King's Lynn and thieves made it as far as Sleaford before running out of fuel. EMN-181220-100118001
Traffic hazard. This JCB forklift was stolen from a building site near King's Lynn and thieves made it as far as Sleaford before running out of fuel. EMN-181220-100118001

The loader was brazenly left, dangerously blocking part of the dual carriageway as traffic hurtled by at about 10.45am, after the thieves ran out of fuel having managed to drive it all the way from the Kings Lynn area.

It is said to have been stolen from a building site in Terrington over the last couple of days.

Police officers managed to reach the vehicle soon after to direct traffic around the hazard but the culprit(s) had already fled.

Abandoned - the JCB forklift carelessly parked on the A17 dual carriageway at Sleaford on Wednesday morning. EMN-181220-094947001Abandoned - the JCB forklift carelessly parked on the A17 dual carriageway at Sleaford on Wednesday morning. EMN-181220-094947001
Abandoned - the JCB forklift carelessly parked on the A17 dual carriageway at Sleaford on Wednesday morning. EMN-181220-094947001

A police spokesman said: “This was abandoned in the nearside lane of the A17 dual carriageway on the approach to the roundabout. A 70mph collision waiting to happen. Clearly the person responsible had no thought for the safety of other road users as anyone hitting this vehicle at those speeds could easily have been killed.

“We are seeking witnesses who may have seen persons walking away from it towards Holdingham Roundabout or being picked up at the roadside.”

Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 108 of December 19.