A CRIMINAL investigation has been launched after travellers ‘ransacked’ a brewery’s headquarters.

A ‘massive’ clean-up operation was carried out by 60 members of staff at Thwaites who spent their working day tidying the Blackburn site after 100 travellers moved onto the land over the weekend.

The group arrived at Blackburn’s Penny Street site in 25 vehicles at around 8pm on Saturday before police intervened and persuaded them to leave late on Monday afternoon.

Until that point the brewery feared it would have to wait until yesterday to get an eviction order.

Thwaites CEO Rick Bailey, who was ‘evicted’ from the headquarters for nearly two days along with his staff, said the site had been left in a ‘completely squalid state’.

The site was left without power, the brewery’s electrical copper cables were stolen, vending machines were smashed and the offices were ransacked, doors were ripped off their hinges and the site was left in a ‘disgusting squalid mess’.

A total of 1,700 pints have also been put down the drain because of contamination fears and the travellers have caused tens of thousands of pounds-worth of damage to the site.

‘Massive’ amounts of litter were also discarded at the site and furniture, including chairs and an empty trolley, were left around the site.

The brewery boss said it will be days before the site can be used again for work purposes as they are still assessing the extent of the damage and the amount of money that will need to be spent on repairs.

Mr Bailey said: “The site has been left in a completely squalid state and we are still assessing the damage done to the infrastructure.

“Everyone has come together to help clear the mess and it has been a massive team effort.

“We want to see these criminals brought to justice and held to account for their actions,” Mr Bailey added.

A Thwaites spokesman added: “Despite it being a horrendous situation, we have seen some fantastic work from our staff who have dropped everything to help in far-from-ideal circumstances.”

The brewery boss also thanked the support of local MPs, including Blackburn MP Kate Hollern and former Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

Kate Hollern has called on the police to act. She said: “It’s absolutely appalling and the site was in a terrible state.

“They took out the power, trashed the offices and used them as a toilet.

“I want to see more action from the police because for me it was a break-in - there was theft and criminal damage.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s regeneration boss Phil Riley said the actions of the travellers were ‘unacceptable’.

No arrests have been made and police said an investigation into the break-in was ongoing.

Supt Andrea Barrow said: “On Saturday evening a large group of travellers entered the premises of Thwaites Brewery on Penny Street, Blackburn.

"Following on-going discussions with the travellers, they eventually moved on yesterday afternoon.

“When faced with incidents such as these Lancashire Constabulary considers all options available, which included working closely with brewery management to resolve the situation.

"In this case we negotiated with the travellers to encourage them to move which they eventually did. We are aware over the weekend there was a significant amount of damage caused and thefts which we are currently investigating. We are continuing to work closely with the brewery and local partners and will seek to prosecute those involved in this mindless criminality.

"I would urge anyone with information in relation to this incident to ring Lancashire Constabulary on 101 or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at ‎crimestoppers-uk.org."

Thwaites are set to move to new headquarters and will leave Blackburn for a new £8m base off the A59 near Mellor Brook.