A REWARD of up to £200,000 is being put up for information leading to the return of mobile phones stolen after a man was kidnapped last week.

A 47-year-old man was bundled into the back of a van after being forced off the road while driving along Heath End Road last Friday night.

He was then taken to a warehouse in Loudwater, where a lorry containing a large number of boxed Samsung Galaxy S3 phones was stolen, before being dumped in a layby at the side of a main road.

The insurers of the phones have now offered a reward for information.

Det Con Michael Anderson, from High Wycombe CID, said: "The insurers are prepared to pay a reward of up to £200,000 for the return of the phones and the conviction of those responsible.

"We believe that there was a group of around six people involved in this incident and I urge anyone with information to come forward. At this time, we believe that the offenders were white and black males wearing dark clothing and they were wearing balaclavas.

"Similarly, if you are offered a Samsung Galaxy S3 mobile phone for sale, please contact the police."

The incident happened at around 8.15pm on Friday 19 when the 47-year-old man was was forced to pull over on Heath End Road by the driver of a dark coloured Audi and a white Transit van.

The man was then forced into the white Transit van and driven to the warehouse. His vehicle, a white Vauxhall combo van, was set alight near to Dawes Hill Lane and an Audi was seen with it at that time.

Det Con Anderson said: "This incident has taken place in several different areas over a two-and-a-half hour period and we know numerous people have witnessed parts of it.

"We know that the stolen Transit van drove to Pyebush Lane in Beaconsfield where the offenders transferred the phones to other vehicles. The victim was was then dumped in a layby on the A355 in Beaconsfield.

"People may think that what they have seen is trivial but it may help to build a picture to identify the vehicles and offenders."

Anyone with any information should contact Det Con Anderson, at Wycombe CID, on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.