A GANG of thieves who targeted lorries parked at night along the Al and Ml was put behind bars yesterday.

The gang was kept under observation by officers from North Yorkshire Police, who were concerned about the number of thefts and attempted thefts from soft-sided lorries in an area stretching from North Yorkshire to South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Three of the gang who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal, between March and June, were heroin addicts.

Stephen Bentley, 28, was jailed for three years, David Walker, 29, was locked up for two years, and Jason Wilby, 25, all of Knottingley, received 21 months.

Graham Burden, 28, of Pontefract, was sent to prison for 15 months for attempted theft.

The sides of up to 20 lorries a night were slashed at Bedale, North Yorkshire, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage apart from thefts, said Jamie Hill, prosecuting.

The damage put some owner-drivers off the road for four days, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Goods worth £60,000 were stolen in North Yorkshire in three months, including confectionery and lawnmowers.

The thieves also struck at Barnsdale Bar, Rainton and Curnow in North Yorkshire, Woodhall Services near Sheffield, Tibshelf Services, Derbyshire, Blythe Services and Kegworth, Nottinghamshire.