Taken from Ovalchat:
THIEVES TARGET STOCK CAR TRACK BARRIERS
Thieves attracted by soaring scrap metal prices have stolen 100 crash barriers and 70 girders from a race track.
Police say a truck was needed to remove the haul from the Barford stock car circuit, at Streatlam, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.
Steel has reached £1500 a ton and copper £3500 a ton, leading to an increase in thefts all over the country, police said.
Cyril Whitfield, the track operator, said: "They must have used a very big truck, with a big strong arm on it, and they must have worked very quickly."
Despite the theft, Mr Whitfield said he would still be able to clear up the site, and get other barriers in place, to ensure that a stock car meeting scheduled for Sunday afternoon could go ahead.
PC Tony Kent, of Barnard Castle police, said: "The gang must have got into the site on Wednesday night. We are anxious to hear from anyone who saw a large wagon with a big lifting arm moving around this area. We would like to hear from anyone who comes across a large collection of girders and barriers hidden away in some part of the district, as they could be linked to this crime.
Anyone with information is asked to call 0845-60-60-365.