On Sunday 13 July, team members from the brewery, which is in Banbury, were conducting weekly sampling when a van appeared and the perpetrator was caught helping themselves to scrap metal.
When confronted, the thief reportedly attempted to make a quick getaway, damaging a gate and knocking someone over however, no one was injured.
Nothing unusual
Hook Norton managing director James Clarke told The Morning Advertiser (The MA): “On Sunday evening, we were conducting our weekly sampling and decided to do it outside in the evening to be a bit cooler.
“Five of us were sat outside the brewery when a van drove past to the rear – nothing unusual, we assumed it was a courier.
“After a few minutes we realised the van hadn’t retuned, so I looked at the CCTV on my phone, and saw the driver helping himself to some scrap metal.
“Two of us went to have a chat with the driver, while another member of staff closed the yard gate, to prevent the van from leaving.
“After recommending the driver perhaps best leave, he drove into the closed gate.
Unbelievable
“We then opened the gate, but he drove off before it was fully open, damaging his van, and causing a colleague to fall as he was hit by the gate; fortunately there were no injuries.”
Following the incident, Clarke took to social media to warn other local businesses to “be vigilant”, describing the incident as “unbelievable”.
The independent family brewery, which was founded in 1849 and is known for its Old Hooky brew, has reported the incident to the police.
