Murder investigation launched after delivery driver dies trying to stop apparent theft of own van

A murder investigation has been launched after a delivery driver died trying to stop the alleged theft of his van in Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police said initial inquiries suggest the victim, who is aged in his forties and has not been named, delivered a package on Alliance Street at about 6.45pm on Tuesday and returned to his van to find a man trying to steal it.

The force added that when he tried to stop the theft, the suspect drove off at speed with the victim only partly in the passenger door of the vehicle.

The van, a plain silver Ford Transit Cargo, then collided with two parked cars in Heights Drive, Wortley, and was driven away leaving the victim injured in the street.

The police were called at around 6.51pm and officers arrived to find the van owner unconscious with members of the public trying to help him.

He was given emergency treatment by ambulance staff but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Police said the van was recovered in Highlands Walk, Belle Isle.

The force add that the victim’s family have been informed of his death and are “completely devastated”.

Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle from West Yorkshire Police said the force is carrying out “extensive enquiries” in order to identify the person whose “incredibly dangerous actions were responsible for the death”.

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