Pub landlords concerned following string of burglaries in Chichester and Midhurst

A number of pubs and businesses have been broken into, causing concern in the community.
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Reports of break-ins to a number of pubs in the area have caused concern in the community and have sparked a call for police to address the situation.

The Hamilton Arms in Stedham, the Elsted Inn in Midhurst, Three Horseshoes in Midhurst, The Greyhound in Midhurst and the Dean Inn in West Dean have all confirmed break-ins.

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A number of unconfirmed reports have come in of break-ins to other commercial properties in the area including some as far north as Petersfield.

ks20036-1 Midhurst Landlord Crime Concern phot kate...Suhail Hussain from the Hamilton Arms in Stedham, who is concerned about the recent spate of thefts.ks20036-1ks20036-1 Midhurst Landlord Crime Concern phot kate...Suhail Hussain from the Hamilton Arms in Stedham, who is concerned about the recent spate of thefts.ks20036-1
ks20036-1 Midhurst Landlord Crime Concern phot kate...Suhail Hussain from the Hamilton Arms in Stedham, who is concerned about the recent spate of thefts.ks20036-1

Police have said they will be appealing for information in the near future.

Midhurst Town Council chairman Mark Purves said: “We have asked the police chief inspector what they are doing to actually investigate this and prevent it.

“It’s important to make sure that people report every crime so police have a record of it.

"Some people haven’t reported it and it all builds.”

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A spokesman for Sussex Police said the they are aware of a number of break-ins at pubs across the Midhurst and Chichester areas and said they will be working ‘robustly with partner agencies to tackle this issue’.

District commander for Chichester and Arun, Chief Inspector Jon Carter said: “We have set up overt and covert responses to this series of incidents, some of which may well be linked, working with partners and other force level teams in a bid to identify those responsible.

“There will be an increased in high visibility patrols in these areas and lines of enquiry for each matter will be investigated.

“We would urge anyone with information about any of the incidents to come forward to assist the prevention team in gathering evidence.”

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Suhail Hussain has owned the Hamilton Arms in Stedham for the past 28 years and has lived in the area for the same.

“This is the first time I have been broken into.

“It’s just a bit of petty thieving but it [the area] has changed over the past few years. It has changed for the worse basically.”

He said: “I’m worried about it happening again — people live upstairs — I’m worried about their safety.

“They are quite nervous about it.”

Suhail said he has taken extra preventative measures including adding more locks and alarms to the premises.

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“There are definitely concerns about it happening again in the community.

“Things that have gone on around the area, there should have been more action on.

“[There are] incidents going on in the area that we are absolutely worried about.

“Everyone is keeping an eye out — some one must recognise this guy.”

Anyone with any information about the break-ins or who may have been affected themselves should contact Sussex Police on 101 or by reporting it online at: www.sussex.police.uk/ro/report