POLICE investigating large-scale damage and disruption caused by Travellers at a historic brewery have charged four people.
It comes a day after six people were arrested during dawn raids at addresses in Bolton and Wigan in relation to the Spring Bank Holiday incident at Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn.
At the time, a company spokesman said staff had been 'evicted' during an 'aggressive standoff' with the 100- strong group, who brought almost 50 vehicles on to the site.
Charged
Thomas Ward, 43, has been charged with blackmail, burglary and criminal damage.
Patrick Ward, 32, was charged with burglary and criminal damage.
John Ward, 33, has been charged with burglary, criminal damage and shoplifting.
The three are all of The Stables, Aspull Common, Leigh, Wigan.
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with burglary and criminal damage.
All four are due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Thursday, June 28).
Two 21-year-old men who were arrested on suspicion of burglary have been released under investigation.
(Image: Lancashire Police)Police launched an investigation after damage was caused by a group of Travellers at the Blackburn brewery over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Thwaites estimated that £100,000 of damage was done to the premises and were forced to dispose of 1,700 pints they feared could have been contaminated.
The company had brewed beer at the site for over 200 years but production will now move to a new site, which is due to open August.
