Antiques stolen as three Brighton and Hove homes are burgled

A vintage Mercedes car and antiques have been stolen in three burglaries over three days in Brighton and Hove.

A thief or thieves broke in to the home of an elderly man in Roedean Way, Brighton, in the early hours of Sunday (8 July) as he slept.

The stolen items included two 2in brass clocks, a solid silver tea set, solid silver greyhounds, brass candlesticks as well as his late wife’s Mercedes.

The break-in followed two similar burglaries at about the same time two days earlier (Friday 6 July).

At about 10.30am a house in Vale Avenue, Patcham, was burgled while the owner had popped to the shops.

A high-value Georgian clock was stolen along with solid silver items that included rose vases, coasters and bowls.

The haul also included an Edwardian silver sweet dish and an original Staffordshire gin and water figure.

At about the same time an antique charm bracelet with a little fork and trowel charm was stolen from a property near by in King George VI Avenue, Hove.

Detective Sergeant Kate Witt said: “These burglaries have been incredibly distressing for all three victims.

“The antiques were not only of high monetary value but also incredibly sentimental to their owners.

“We are not ruling out that all three burglaries may be linked and that the homes were specifically targeted.”

She asked any witnesses or anyone who had recently been offered antiques in suspicious circumstances to call Sussex Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

She added: “Always secure your windows and doors when leaving your home and/or when asleep.”

Entry was gained to the property in Vale Avenue by the rear patio door and in both Roedean Way and King George VI Avenue by forcing the windows.