Emergency services called after chemicals stolen from HGV

Specialist hazardous materials officers were called to a lay-by off the A1 this morning after corrosive chemicals were stolen from an HGV.

Fire crews from Newark, Retford and Stockhill - plus the specialist hazardous materials and environmental protection officers from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue - attended after receiving a call at 6.15am.

The lay-by is on Great North Road, just outside Carlton-on-Trent.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: "Chemicals were stolen from the rear of an HGV parked overnight (Tuesday, February 20 to Wednesday, February 21).

"A quantity of the chemical was spilled and has been dealt with by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue.

"The chemicals are corrosive and the person or people who stole them may have suffered burns."

Richard Lindley, environment officer at the Environment Agency, said: “We were made aware of a chemical spillage on the Great North Road this morning by the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service but, as they had contained the pollutant, the Environment Agency was not needed to attend.

“We will, however, be checking that the clean-up operation carried out by the transport company involved has been performed correctly.”

The crews have now left the scene but police remain.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.