A CHARITY has offered a lucrative reward in a desperate effort to catch the thieves who stole £20,000 worth of whiskey.

Crimestoppers is offering £3,000 for information relating to an incident at Membury Services, where offenders cut through the curtains of a lorry and stole a large amount of booze.

During the incident, a lorry driver was also attacked by a group of three men after he walked to the rear of the lorry.

It is believed the thieves struck between 5pm on October 15 and 2.30am the following morning.

A reward of up to £3,000 is now being offered for information given to the charity that leads to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible.

Annabelle Goodenough, regional manager for Thames Valley, said: “This was a daring high value theft and assault in a public area which is why we are urging people to come forward with information.

“If you witnessed this crime, or know someone illegally selling on this whiskey, then please come forward to our charity via our anonymous 0800 555 111 telephone number or online form.

"We won’t judge and we won’t ask for personal details.”

If you have any information, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the non-traceable Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org