Police search for 800 barrels of Guinness stolen in Lancashire and valued at £115,000
The stolen barrels, containing about 70,400 pints of Guinness, had been destined for delivery to pubs in Lancashire.
Police investigating the theft of more than 70,000 pints of Guinness have found two trailers which were stolen in the incident, but are still appealing for help to track down the barrels of beer.
About 800 barrels of the stout, estimated to be worth £115,000, were taken when the HGV trailers were stolen from a depot in Runcorn, Cheshire, on Monday, August 31.
A spokesman for Cheshire Constabulary said the trailers were later recovered in Lathom, Skelmersdale, about 30 miles away from where they were stolen, by officers in Lancashire.
The barrels of Guinness were not on board and police are now appealing for anyone who has been approached to buy the beer in bulk in the past few days to get in touch.
One trailer was left in the Hall Lane area shortly after 3am on Tuesday, September 1, and the second was left in Gillibrands Road shortly after midday on Wednesday, September 2, the force said.
Officers are also appealing for any Skelmersdale residents who may have information to contact the force.
Police believe one of the HGVs involved pulled out in front of a silver or white Renault Captur driven by a learner driver after depositing the second trailer.
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The drivers of the HGVs used to transport the Guinness are both believed to be men.
One is described as white with a short dark beard and wearing a beanie hat. The second is believed to have been wearing a cap, according to police.
The barrels, containing about 70,400 pints of the stout, had been destined for delivery to pubs.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police via the website, or by calling 101, and using incident reference number IML-2408641.