Police have launched a hunt for a gang responsible for a spate of thefts from lorries totalling more than £70,000.

In the last three months organised thieves have pulled off more than five raids on industrial estates in Basildon and Grays.

In most cases the gang strikes while drivers are sleeping in the cabs, but on one occasion a 40-year-old man who confronted them was repeatedly stabbed and left bleeding on the pavement.

The thieves target articulated lorries parked in quiet streets and slice open the tarpaulin trailers to allow them to unload the cargo.

Since the First raid in July the gang have made off with £50,000 of designer clothing, £10,000 of shoes, £7,000 of outdoor clothing, £4,000 of furniture and a variety of medical goods.

Det Chief Insp Tim Wills, of Basildon police, said: "We are aware of a number of offences of relatively high value thefts involving lorries along the Thames corridor.

"It appears to be the work of organised criminals who target lorries, sometimes whilst drivers are asleep in the cabs.

"We have two messages for the haulage drivers. Firstly they should be careful about where loads are laid up overnight, maximising protection offered by well lit areas and those covered by CCTV.

"Secondly, if anything suspicious is seen, please call the police in the first instance."