Islay theft worth £88,000

THE theft of more than 1,000 beer kegs worth nearly £90,000 on the Isle of Islay may have been perpetrated by an international criminal gang, police suspect.

Police Scotland received a report on July 12 that 1,100 beer kegs with an estimated value of £88,000 had been stolen from a yard at Port Ellen between May 9-22.

A spokesperson added: ‘Enquiries to date have indicated that a large goods vehicle – possibly foreign registered – may have been involved in the theft and officers are continuing to liaise with a number of forces throughout the UK and abroad, in relation to this matter.’

Officers could not confirm the beer kegs had been taken out of the country.

The police report at Islay Community Council’s meeting on August 16, published in its draft minutes, said: ‘There was a theft of beer barrels from the old lemonade factory in Port Ellen. Over 1,000 barrels were stolen with a value of £80,000-£100,000.

‘The Metropolitan Police Force has taken over the investigation.’