Beer keg thefts on the increase
Beer keg thefts are reaching epidemic proportions across the UK, losing pub businesses thousands of pounds.
Well-organised gangs have been targeting brewers and pubs stealing kegs in the dead of night leaving licensees without kegs and brewers unable to deliver beer.
Some criminals have even been going round to pubs pretending they are picking up the kegs on behalf of the suppliers.
The high price of aluminium and stainless steel is prompting the thieves to target the pub trade to use the kegs as scrap metal.
The kegs are worth in the region of £50 each.
Geoff Mumford, co-director of Burton Bridge Brewery in Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire said keg thefts were becoming an increasing problem.
"We lost about 100 in one night. It all happened in 13 minutes but the vehicle could not be identified. It's rife in the Midlands," he told The Publican.
"Since the price of scrap has rocketed they have disappeared from pubs and breweries."
John Cooper, licensee of the Triangle Tavern in Chasetown, Staffordshire, has had several lots of kegs stolen in the five weeks. He said: "There is an epidemic going on round here. There are about eight or nine pubs in the areas which have had kegs stolen.
"A lot of pubs in the area have reported it to the police."Police in South Staffordshire have issued a warning to publicans to tighten security where they store empty beer kegs. Inspector Mike Kozam is telling publicans in the area to take precautions.
He said: "Many publicans are leaving them in the open and they will have to recognise this is valuable property."
Brewer Coors confirmed that keg thefts were increasing - and urged licensees to keep kegs in a secure place.
"The current level of loss is not sustainable therefore Coors Brewers and other UK brewers are in the process of tightening their controls over kegs at all points within the supply chain," said a spokeswoman.
"This critical activity needs to be supported by all our retail customers at every outlet to ensure that they keep empty containers secure so the opportunity for theft is minimised.
"We believe that brewers and the retailers must work together on this important issue; neither party can operate effectively without an adequate supply of kegs.
British Beer & Pub Association communications director Mark Hastings said the industry was considering a deposit scheme to encourage licensees to secure their kegs.
