The police have warned against buying cheap fizzy drinks after 26 pallets of Vimto were stolen.

Sometime between August 12 and 14 the purple drinks were taken along with the lorry trailer they were loaded on from an address in High Laver, Ongar. 

It is believed the theft happened in the morning on one of those days, between 8am and 9am.

The cost of the Vimto stretches into the five figures. 

Police constable Paul Alcock, said: “This has had a significant financial impact on the victim.

“If anyone has been offered a large amount of the beverage at a discounted rate it is an offence to handle stolen goods and you could be prosecuted for that offence.

“Remember, if the offer is too good to be true it usually is."

The trailer’s tracker showed that it was on the B194 Waltham Abbey at around 3pm on August 13, and anyone with information about its whereabouts or those responsible for the theft are asked to contact Pc Paul Alcock on 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.