POLICE investigating the ransacking of a brewery say they have now identified a number of people they are actively looking to arrest.

Thwaites, based in Blackburn, announced last week that 211 years of brewing in the town had come to an end following the destruction carried out by travellers over Bank Holiday weekend.

Now, police have confirmed that they have identified a number of people they are looking to arrest for the damage that was caused.

Assistant Chief Constable Jo Edwards said: “We fully understand and appreciate the public’s on-going concerns about the large scale damage and disruption caused by travellers who camped at the Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

“I would like to reassure people that the investigation is still on-going with a team of officers dedicated to finding those who are responsible for causing these unacceptable criminal acts. We have in fact now identified a number of individuals who we are actively seeking to arrest and we are working with other forces to expedite this.

“We continue to work closely with Thwaites to gather evidence and are currently conducting a thorough and detailed investigation. Crime scene investigators have been inside the property to gather forensic evidence and we are also on with numerous CCTV enquiries.

“Once we are in position to provide any further updates about the investigation, we will.

“I would like to remind people that we generally have good relationships with the travelling community and the level of destruction and damage caused to the Thwaites site is not reflective of the behaviour of the majority of travellers.”

Around 100 people broke into the Penny Street site and laid waste to the offices and brewery, resulting in over £100,000 damage.

Police eventually “negotiated” with the travellers to leave the site and escorted the convoy up to the M65 before being allowed to go.

A spokesman for Thwaites yesterday (June 13) said: "We are continuing to do all we can to assist the police with their investigation.

“We are reassured that they are saying that arrests will be made so that those criminals responsible for the damage and theft on our Blackburn site will be held to account.”

Chief Constable Edwards added: "