Officers have also searched the area for the remaining gang members, but despite CCTV footage of the raid at RJ Jones’s haulage firm, in Greenfield, near Holywell, there are no descriptions of the offenders.

A fourth Mercedes lorry was abandoned with the engine running and lights on after the gang found they could not work the elaborate gearbox at the haulage warehouses.

Bill Foulkes, operations manager at the firm, said: “They broke into the office and got the keys which have the vehicle registrations on. The thing is they probably would not have got far, all our vehicles have satellite trackers on them.

“You could tell these guys were motivated, one was carrying a lump of wood in his hand.”

The gang smashed their way out of the depot, destroying £12,000 electronic metal gates.

But, within five minutes of leaving the depot at about 1.15am on Thursday morning, police were already on to the gang after being alerted by the CCTV control centre alongside the A55 in Northop, near Mold.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will now investigate the collisions.

CHESHIRE Police are appealing for any witnesses to call 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.