Thousands of copies of the new Harry Potter book worth around £70,000 (€100,000) have been stolen, British police revealed today.
A trailer containing copies of the much-anticipated Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix was taken from a trading estate at Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, on Sunday night.
The trailer was discovered yesterday in Salford, Greater Manchester, without its load.
The theft comes just days before the new book is due to go on sale this Saturday.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “The trailer contained about £70,000 (€100,000) worth of the new Harry Potter book. We are not sure about the intended destination at this stage.”
Police said the lorry was made up of a Scania tractor unit and a white trailer.