E-Malt.com News article: UK: Stolen Keg, those responsible face stiff penalties states BBPA

The British Beer and Pub Association is warning that the industry is stepping up its surveillance of the theft of beer kegs – and that those responsible face severe penalties when caught. The BBPA also wants all pub licensees to ensure that their kegs are always picked up by a legitimate operator – and not stolen or sold for recycling and scrap.

Due to the high demand and the current high price for aluminium and stainless steel, the theft of beer kegs is a growing problem, says the BBPA. Stolen aluminium kegs are typically smelted, while stainless steel kegs are shredded or crushed. A recent survey suggests that up to 250,000 kegs might have gone missing from January to August this year.

Keg Watch, an industry trade body that recovers kegs for around 300 companies, from micro-breweries to the major internationals, has also reported a dramatic increase in thefts in recent months. Keg Watch has been working increasingly closely with the police, through beefed up surveillance and raids on premises, to catch the criminals involved. In two recent prosecutions, one scrap dealer received a £1,500 fine while in a second case, another man possessing £12,000 of containers was given a 15 month prison sentence.

Licensees should show increased vigilance, says the BPPA, and ensure that a legitimate accredited person always picks up all their empty kegs. Agents and employees of Keg Watch always carry proof of identity - something that licensees must always look out for.

Mark Hastings, BBPA Director of Communications, comments: “This is a severe and growing problem for the industry, with keg theft now on a large scale. Anyone dealing illegally in stolen kegs needs to know that surveillance is being increased, and sooner or later they are going to get caught. Those found guilty can face stiff fines, and even imprisonment. It is just not worth it.

"Pubs have a vital role to play in tackling the problem. Licensees should always ensure that an accredited operator picks up their kegs. Otherwise, they are giving a helping hand to an illegal trade, adding to the costs of supplying the product on which the whole trade depends.

“Keg Watch are doing an excellent job in highlighting and tackling the problem, and the police are increasingly recognising the seriousness of what has become a large scale organised crime. We now need increased vigilance and full support from all licensees if we are to get on top of this problem.”

The British Beer and Pub Association is the UK’s leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 98% of the beer brewed in the UK and own nearly two thirds of Britain’s 59,000 pubs.



11 November, 2005