Xbox haul is now £1 million

Police believe thieves are stealing the games machines to sell ahead of Christmas when they are in high demand. Thieves hijacked a lorry load of £750,000 worth of Xbox consoles on the A38 after it left a distribution depot in Fradley yesterday.

Police revealed today that another theft took place at the Hellmann Worldwide Logistics depot on Thursday morning when a £40,000 trailer containing £260,000 of Xbox consoles was taken.

Staffordshire Police spokesman Peter Stevens said: "They are in high demand and cost between £200 and £300.

"We are appealing for information from anyone offered them in suspicious circumstances, such as in a pub, at a car boot sale or off the back of a lorry, to help us track down those responsible."

Mr Stevens also warned that anyone buying stolen Xboxes may find that the guarantee is not valid.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics UK managing director Martin Meyer said an internal review had been launched into yesterday's robbery.

"Obviously, our primary concern lies with the driver, who thankfully suffered only minor injuries and has been discharged from hospital," he said. "We have already begun a thorough internal review."

Police investigating yesterday's hijack said they had found the stolen lorry. It was taken at 5am after the driver was flagged down by two vehicles as he travelled south on the A38 at Hilliards Cross.

The 46-year-old from Birmingham thought they were informing him of a fault with his lorry so pulled over to investigate.

But three men threatened him before a scuffle took place and one of them made off with the lorry, leaving him with minor injuries.

It was later found, empty, on the A38 at Minworth, Sutton Coldfield. Witnesses or anyone with information can call police on 08453 302010.

By Victoria Hoe