BUNGLING thieves fled after attempting an elaborate heist ... at a SWEET depot.

The robbers were trying to steal two lorry loads of toffees including ‘drumsticks’, ‘monster mix’, and ‘double dippers’, from the Swizzels Matlow distribution site in Adlington.

Police foiled a gang of up to four men as they attempted to seize the 40ft trailers containing tonnes of confectionery and reportedly worth thousands of pounds.

The would-be thieves tried to attach lorry cabins to the loads and drive away, but fled when the alarm was raised.

A security guard, who was 55, was treated for minor injuries at Macclesfield Hospital and later discharged, a Cheshire Police spokesman said.

Nigel Wanford, Swizzels Matlow supply chain manager, who said the sweets had been awaiting delivery that morning, admitted he was absolutely stunned.

"We have got security on the site all the time and CCTV and lights, so it is a bit of a brazen attempt," he said.

"You can’t track sweets like TVs or mobile phones. It is low value but easy to get rid of. Booze and fags are usually what they go for, but there are a lot of controls on that. Have you ever seen sweets on a car boot sale? Of course you have. Times must be hard in the criminal fraternity.

"The alarm was raised. It is very unusual, we have never been targeted like this before. We don’t keep tractor units here so they have brought their own. The engine (on one) was still running.

"There are Drumsticks, Double Dippers, Monster Mix – anything you buy from a sweetshop is probably in there. It (the cargo) is worth thousands obviously. We have 250 tonnes of sweets coming out of here a week."

Swizzel Matlow employs 23 people on the site – 18 in the warehouse and five in the office – which used to belong to the Ministry of Defence and backs onto BAE’s Woodford premises.

The sweets are manufactured at a factory in New Mills and distributed from Adlington around the UK and Ireland. There is also a small global export department at the New Mills site.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and want to speak to anyone who saw two

lorry tractor units, a black Jaguar X Type or a flat bed Ford Transit Van, any vehicle acting suspiciously, or anyone on Bonis Hall Lane or London Road between Macclesfield and Poynton, between 1am and 3.30am last Friday.

Anyone with information should call Wilmslow CID on 0845 458 0000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two men arrested by Cheshire Police in connection with the incident have been bailed until November 27.