Police say the run-up to Christmas traditionally sparks a rise in the number of thefts from HGVs in Northampton and surrounding areas.

Officers will hand out leaflets to lorry drivers parked at locations where HGVs have previously been targeted.

The leaflets will be written in nine different languages and advise lorry drivers not to park in hot spots including lay-bys off the A14 and the M1 - including Watford Gap Services - and both the Brackmills Industrial Estate and Round Spinney Industrial Estate.

Some of the HGVs involved have travelled to the county from overseas so the warnings have been translated into languages including French, Dutch, Polish and Portuguese.

Chief Inspector Sean Bell said: "Lorry drivers need to know that if they pull into lay-bys or stop at the side of the road they put their loads at risk.

"The message is do not park a lorry with a high-value load at the side of the road. You should always use secure parking areas and not make yourself vulnerable."

Northamptonshire Police also has a lorry trailer emblazoned with words 'Truckers beware, this is a lorry load theft hotspot', which is taken to locations across the county as appropriate.

Most of the crimes take place overnight while the lorry is parked up either with or without the driver sleeping in the vehicle.

Items that have been stolen over the past year include Levis clothes, TVs and other electrical equipment and toys.

Anyone with any information about lorry crime, or anyone who sees anyone acting suspiciously near lorries, are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 08453 700700 or phone 999 if a crime is in progress.