A MAN was held at knifepoint for six hours in his lorry near the Dartford Crossing yesterday, in a robbery which saw £100,000 of tyres stolen.

Detectives were called just before 7.15am yesterday to Bob Dunn way after 1,500 Pirelli tyres were stolen from two artic lorries.

It was reported a man knocked on the cabin door of the lorry, parked on the road side at 1am, gesturing something was wrong with his vehicle.

When the lorry driver went to help the man he was threatened with what he believed to be a knife and was pushed back inside his cabin and forced to stay there till 7am.

It was then the suspect left the cabin and the lorry driver noticed his trailer of tyres had been stolen.

His colleague, who was also driving a lorry with Pirelli tyres, was reported to also have been threatened with a knife and his trailer was missing half its load of tyres.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Simon Williams, said: "This was a premeditated robbery in which two men were held against their will.

"Clearly this is an incident that caused concern and distress to the victims and I would urge anyone that has any information to come forward.

"Also, if you are offered cheap Pirelli tyres at a price that seems too good to be true, then it probably is."

If anyone has any information call Det Con Williams on 101, quoting CAD 08-0137 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.