A CRIMINAL investigation was launched after travellers ransacked a brewery’s headquarters.

A ‘massive’ clean-up operation was carried out by 60 members of staff at Thwaites who spent their working day tidying the Blackburn site after 100 travellers moved onto the land over the weekend.

The group arrived at Blackburn’s Penny Street site in 25 vehicles at around 8pm on Saturday before police intervened and negotiated with the group to leave late on Monday afternoon.

Supt Andrea Barrow said: “On Saturday evening a large group of travellers entered the premises of Thwaites Brewery on Penny Street, Blackburn.

"Following on-going discussions with the travellers, they eventually moved on yesterday afternoon.

“When faced with incidents such as these Lancashire Constabulary considers all options available, which included working closely with brewery management to resolve the situation.

"In this case we negotiated with the travellers to encourage them to move which they eventually did. We are aware over the weekend there was a significant amount of damage caused and thefts which we are currently investigating. We are continuing to work closely with the brewery and local partners and will seek to prosecute those involved in this mindless criminality.

"I would urge anyone with information in relation to this incident to ring Lancashire Constabulary on 101 or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at ?crimestoppers-uk.org."

However, police have faced criticism over their handling of the incident.

The Lancashire Telegraph has received numerous letters, emails and comments about the issue. Here is a selection of those views:

Gill Ellison

In regard to the takeover of Thwaites’ Blackburn site by travellers. I was ashamed at the lack of action by Lancashire Constabulary over the bank holiday weekend. Three police vans and a car eventually attended the occupied site.

Why were photographs of the travellers not taken? Why were vehicles not checked for insurance/tax and roadworthiness? When criminal damage of the building had clearly taken place, why were they not arrested?

Finally, where are they now? Most likely on their way to Appleby Horse Fair. Will police liaise with Cumbria Police and bring them to justice? Don’t hold your breath.

Michael Albin, Blackburn

There is something sadly wrong with the legal system in this country. If somebody breaks into your property then they should be arrested.

It would appear that our police’s answer is to try to negotiate with the criminals (and that is what they are) and think they have done a good job when they are allowed to get away.

What should have happened at Thwaites brewery is that police should turned up on Saturday night and arrested everybody (men, women and children) and taken them all into custody, removed all their vehicles (both cars and caravans) for inspection. I just wonder what they would have found if they did that.

That is what would happen to you and me if we where caught breaking in somewhere.

For far too long the legal system has bent over backwards to the continual criminality of the traveller community.

The Ghost of Ned Ludd

Drop a cigarette end it's an immediate £80 fine. Leave a place a total mess with litter all over and that will be quite alright sir. Why are some are exempt from the law?

Jack Scammell

The law is an ass. Law abiding citizens are being let down all through life.

A Darrener

That will be another penny on a pint to pay for the damage. I always thought the law was meant to include everybody. Obviously I was wrong.

Crusade to find the truth

Police will probably send Thwaites a crime number in the post and tell them they closing investigation down as don't know which one of the 100 travellers caused the damage or stole property.

It's a shame Lancashire Police don't have enough police to have gone onto the site when they first turned up and made arrests and kicked them off. The financial cost to Thwaites is going to be huge.

Truth will out

Lancashire Police – we don't want to see you 'discussing'. We don't want to hear of you 'negotiating'. There's criminal damage of thousands of pounds and the culprits have been under your nose.

Make arrests. Confiscate vehicles. Start applying the law.

Informed not opinionated

Police officers I know would happily have gone in and removed them but senior officers are far removed from crime fighting. If anyone gets prosecuted I'll be amazed. Shameful.

modan

If this building was in use and the car park gates were locked this is an illegal entry. Why were they not arrested?

davey111

While some travellers appear to work hard to support their families and way of life, this group has done nothing to support that perception. This number of people and vehicles cannot just have appeared from nowhere or not previously been involved in similar disorder so a lot of questions to be answered here. Find those responsible and have them clearing littered and fly tipping sites as punishment - with photos.

Hassylad

If the police had wanted to I'm sure they could have found resources to deal with this. Inevitably in this day and age politics plays a part in these situations and if the police had gone in no doubt the usual suspects would have popped up moaning about "heavy handed policing" and "human rights". It's a sad state of affairs when a commercial property providing locals livelihoods, can be occupied, trashed and the alleged culprits allowed to simply drive away. It may be that police filmed the intruders and their vehicles and there may be intelligence that allows them to track and arrest offenders. Also a lot will depend on CCTV, if it is in place and has survived. Without that and witnesses it's going be to difficult playing catch up I would have thought. One to follow with interest.