Football fans have been urged to look out for "suspicious" new England 2010 away shirts after a lorry carrying the new football shirts - believed to be worth £2 million - was hijacked in Flintshire.
The BBC reports that an armed, hooded gang struck at about 0800 GMT on Wednesday on the Deeside Industrial Estate.
The driver, 37, was released, unhurt, an hour later 40 miles (64km) away in Wigan, Lancashire.
The truck, which was later found burnt out in Merseyside, was delivering 50,000 England away kits to an Umbro clothing factory when it held up.
"Deeside Industrial Estate is a busy area, especially at this time of the morning, and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle or noticed anything suspicious."
The new away shirt was only launched this month and is not due to go on sale until next month, the day England wear it in a World Cup warm-up friendly against Egypt.
In a statement, Umbro said: "Umbro has been informed about the incident concerning the stolen England away football shirts.
"Umbro is co-operating fully with the police and we encourage anyone who is offered suspicious England away shirts to report it to the police immediately as this is a serious criminal matter.
"We wish the driver all the best."
Inquiries are involving both Greater Manchester and Merseyside Police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Mold CID on 101, if you are calling from Wales, 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line), 0845 607 1002 (English line) or Crimestoppers Wales anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Comments
but where was the truck found?
Rather pay £25 than the £50 in the stores.
As all of us know every manufacturer up-charges their merchandise a lot. I'm not one for supporting crime but what the big manufactures charge us lowly supporters, is to some, almost criminal. (Especially considering who is actually making these kits and how much money they are making, or not making)
actually mumbo jumbo, think on the logical side, this promotes the image of the shirt and makes it saught after, and whats a little money lost from umbro(nike)
ps. i am not supporting the crime
Pure Pish now
Give yourself a pat on the back..
Plastic Scousers would have nicked the lot and sold it down the pub for a tenner a shirt!
y did they drop the driver off in wigan an then drive back to liverpool to burn the lorry ?
or are they just gonna bump the price up on there none-stolen shirts, to compansate there loss in revenue?
.....thinking about it.... isnt that what they have already done?