A POLICE probe has been launched after lorry-driving thieves made off with hundreds of thousands of pounds of high-end make-up during a raid on a Hampshire haulage firm.

Bosses at the firm, in Eastleigh, say the group broke into their yard and used a lorry to pull away a trailer loaded with make-up from Estee Lauder.

Though the value of the make-up is unknown, bosses at the firm believe the items could be worth into the hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Police say the theft took place at the yard of Lambert Brothers Haulage in Woodside Avenue on Sunday.

Following the incident, bosses at the haulage firm have promised to up their “already high level of security”.

A spokesperson for the company said: “A Lambert’s trailer was involved in a theft on Sunday morning.

“No one was injured and we are assisting police with their enquiries.

“In addition, I can confirm that extra security measures are now in place”.

The theft has also sparked a plea by bosses at Estee Lauder.

The cosmetics company, founded in New York in 1946, has urged customers to only buy their products from authorised retailers.

A spokesperson for The Estee Lauder Companies UK & Ireland said: “A number of items were stolen from a third party haulage company at the weekend.

“We encourage consumers to only purchase products from authorised retailers.”

Police are now appealing for information following the theft.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “The incident happened just after 1.15am on Sunday, 15 September.

“The offenders entered the site and used a vehicle to tow away a partially loaded trailer.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 44190329607.”

According to Lambert Brothers’ website, the company was founded in 1960 before moving to Eastleigh in 1972.

The firm, which work with local and overseas firm, employs 175 staff and operate over 80 vehicles.