Sugar-crazed yobs wreak havoc at Blackpool biscuit factory

Children as young as eight have been reported trespassing at Burton’s Biscuits on Devonshire Road, stealing all the goodies they can get their hands on.

Peter Turner, Burton’s Biscuit Company’s safety, health and environment manager for Blackpool, said: “It has been going on ever since I came here two years ago, and it probably happens three or four times a week. At the beginning it was just two or three, and now it’s coming up to 50 children at a time attacking all our entrance points to the site.

“It’s all times of the day, from late evening to 3AM.

“We have put an eight-foot high fence around and they just jump over.

“We have a small police force here in Blackpool and they don’t want to keep coming out to chase kids - they have bigger and better things to do with their time. We have had chats with them before and they step up patrols, but it soon fades and the kids come back. They are absolutely fearless.”

He said the company had invested in £30,000 worth of security equipment in an effort to prevent the greedy youths getting their hands on their stock, but it has done little to deter them, with thefts taking place up to three times a week.

As well as jumping over fences, youths have been reported to brazenly run through the company’s main gates whenever they open to allow access for heavy goods vehicles.

After filling their pockets, they are reported to make their escape into the nearby Layton Cemetery, where they stuff themselves silly with top-brand biccies, or sell them to their friends.

Peter said: “They are stealing biscuits and selling them locally to their friends. Sometimes they just get them and throw them around the streets. I don’t know why they do it, but it’s organised.”

He added: “We have a lot of car and lorry movements onsite 24/7 and because of the increase in attacks and the number of youths involved we’re concerned that somebody is going to get seriously injured.”

This is not the first time young people have hit headlines for taking the biscuit at the Devonshire Road bakery.

In October 2016, three teenage boys were reported to have scaled a fence and stolen boxes of baked goods from a trailer.

Empty boxes were later found thrown on the ground in Layton Cemetery, angering residents.

The factory and its staff are now working closely with Blackpool police to address the unruly youths.

Peter said: “The measures we have taken already include a recent £30,000 investment covering upgraded CCTV systems, the recruitment of additional security personnel and the application of anti-vandal paint on perimeter fencing.

“We are also looking at a number of other measures as we strive to make the site as secure and safe as possible.”

POLICE SAID...

A Lancashire police spokesman said a reported theft that took place at the biscuit factory on the night of February 12 is currently under investigation - however, they could not say yesterday whether any arrests had been made.

He said: “We have previously and will continue to work with the business to advise them on how to improve their security measures to avoid becoming victims of theft. We have also stepped up patrols in the area.”