A DISTILLERY is calling on people to be on the look out for stolen gin and rum after raiders took thousands of bottles worth £85,000 from storage containers.

Tony and Sarah Brotherton who run the Yorkshire Dales Distillery near Richmond have been left devastated after the theft which happened on Saturday night and Sunday morning in Colburn. But they say they won’t be beaten and are appealing for help to track down the stolen stock.

Read more: Crash on the A167 Northallerton Road near Dalton on Tees

It is believed the thieves pulled open the doors of the containers where the bottles were stored using a van and chains or rope fastened to the doors.

The Northern Echo: The Yorkshire Dales Distillery wants people to be on the lookout for these bottles of gin and rum The Yorkshire Dales Distillery wants people to be on the lookout for these bottles of gin and rum

They said: “We are very sad to announce that on the evening of Saturday, March 5, the Distillery was broken in to. As you can imagine, this has caused costly damage and a significant loss of stock which has taken months to carefully craft and is valued at tens of thousands of pounds.

“We have spent five years building this small family business and having worked extremely hard to get through two years of the pandemic, while looking after our staff and customers. We are struggling to understand the mindset behind a callous and destructive raid such as this.

The Northern Echo: Tony Brotherton outside the containers raided by the thievesTony Brotherton outside the containers raided by the thieves

“Whilst we work closely with North Yorkshire Police, other agencies, and local businesses in order to try to ensure that the stock is recovered, the Distillery remains fully operational. Our staff are working hard to replenish the stolen items and are committed to working around the clock to enable this to happen.

“In the meantime, if you see any Yorkshire Dales Distillery stock being sold at an unusual price or in an unusual location, please report it to North Yorkshire Police on 101 or if you prefer to remain anonymous to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 using crime reference number 06032022-0248.

The Northern Echo: Thieves steal £85,000 of gin and rumThieves steal £85,000 of gin and rum

“We thank our staff and customers for their continued support, please bear with us while we get back on our feet, rest assured we will not beaten.”

A long wheel base white van was seen at the unit at Easton Way between 7.40pm and 8.20pm on Saturday. The vehicle then returned at around 1am on Sunday morning. The public is also being urged to look out for the distinctive bottles.

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