Thieves steal 70,000 pints of Guinness in two lorries
Saturday, 5 September 2026
Warm-up
- What drinks are popular in pubs in your country?
- Have you ever seen beer delivered to a pub or shop?
- What should you do if you see a crime happening?
Vocabulary
- depot
- A place where goods are stored before delivery.
- lorry
- A large road vehicle for carrying goods.
- barrel
- A round wooden or metal container for liquids.
- stout
- A dark, strong type of beer.
- estimate
- To guess a number using available information.
- trailer
- The back part of a lorry used to carry goods.
- branding
- A company’s name or design shown on products.
- beanie
- A small, close-fitting knitted hat.
Reading
Cheshire Police say thieves stole more than 800 barrels of Guinness from a depot in Runcorn. They drove off with two lorry trailers from Whitehouse Industrial Estate on Aston Lane. The load was stout for pubs, and each barrel holds about 88 pints. Police estimate about 70,000 pints were taken, worth about £115,000 for the drink. One trailer left at about 19:45 BST, and the second at about 21:30. One lorry headed towards the Mersey Gateway bridge, the other towards Rainhill and Watkinson Way. Officers believe both drivers were men. One was white with a short dark beard and wore a beanie hat. The other wore a cap. The trailers are white curtain side units with GXO branding. Police say the total value, including the trailers and the Guinness, is about £205,000. The rear doors have unique numbers: DL736 or DL542.
Comprehension
- Where did the thieves steal the Guinness from?
- How many barrels were taken, according to police?
- What was the drink’s destination before the theft?
- At what times did the two trailers leave?
- What are the unique numbers on the stolen trailers?
Grammar focus
First conditional
Use the first conditional to talk about possible future results. Form: If + present simple, ... will + base verb. (Examples constructed.)
- If anyone sees the lorries, they **will call** the police.
- If pubs report missing barrels, the depot **will increase** patrols.
Grammar exercise
Complete the sentences with the correct verb form.
- If anyone (see) ___ the lorries, they will call the police.
- If a witness (remember) ___ a plate number, police will use it.
- If the trailers (show) ___ GXO branding, officers will find them.
- If a driver (head) ___ towards the bridge, CCTV will record it.
- If pubs (report) ___ missing barrels, the depot will increase patrols.
Discussion
- Why might thieves target drink deliveries like this?
- What security could a depot add to stop such thefts?
- Would you report a suspicious lorry in your area? Why?
- How can companies help police after a theft?
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