Police swooped on a man after an Amazon delivery driver’s van was stolen while he was dropping off a parcel in Carlton.
The driver had parked up on Cavendish Road at around 5.40pm on Sunday (21 June) when he watched, in disbelief, as his van was driven off right in front of him. He immediately rang police.
Officers launched a rapid search and tracked the van down around 20 minutes later, abandoned in a car park off Thackeray’s Lane, Woodthorpe.
A man tried to leg it as police arrived but didn’t get far. When officers caught up with him, he was allegedly carrying a packet of biscuits the driver said had been inside the van. Police also recovered the discarded keys and a self‑heating lunch box belonging to the victim.
A 42‑year‑old man was arrested on suspicion of stealing a motor vehicle.
PC James Roberts said: “The victim was simply doing his job when the van he relies on was stolen. Officers acted quickly to find the vehicle, recover items and detain a suspect.
“We’d urge delivery drivers and other motorists to take every precaution to avoid becoming victims of opportunistic criminals. Locking vehicles and turning off engines only takes a second.”
The investigation is still ongoing, and police want to hear from anyone with information or footage from mobile phones, dashcams, doorbells or CCTV.
Anyone who can help should call 101, quoting incident 503 of 21 June 2026, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
