Security guard at whisky plant stabbed after chasing intruders

Three men aged between 20 and 30 broke into bottling factory in Scotland, say police

Diageo whisky bottling plant in Leven in Fife (Google Maps)

A security guard keeping watch at a whisky bottling plant in Scotland was stabbed in a late-night attack after he chased a gang of intruders.

The 40-year-old man was on duty at the Diageo facility in the Fife town of Leven at around 11.30pm on Thursday when he saw three young men who had entered the grounds illegally and chased after them.

He caught one of the men but was then assaulted, suffering a knife injury to his abdomen.

The security guard was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for treatment, but police said his wound was not life-threatening.

All three suspects are described as being aged between 20 and 30, and one of the men was wearing jogging bottoms and a hooded top. They made off in the direction of Kennoway or possibly the Broom area of Leven.

Police are appealing for information about the incident. Detective Inspector Chris Mill, from Levenmouth CID, said: “The victim has sustained a very painful but thankfully not life-threatening injury while carrying out his security duties and we are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness.

“If you saw anything suspicious in the area surrounding Diageo late on Thursday evening, or have any other information that can assist this ongoing investigation then please contact police immediately.”

Diageo is Scotland’s largest exporter of Scotch whisky and other spirits, and has around 50 sites in the country, including dozens of distilleries.

A spokeswoman for Diageo said: “We can confirm there was an incident at our site on Thursday evening when intruders were approached by one of our security guards who, as a result, was seriously assaulted.

“Following treatment in hospital for a non-life threatening abdominal injury, he has now been released. The health and safety of all personnel who work on our sites is of utmost importance and we are currently helping police with their inquiries.

“We wish the security guard a speedy recovery and we will be in close contact with him to support him.”

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Anyone with information is asked to contact Levenmouth CID via 101 and quote incident number 4849 of 6 June or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.