A STRING of betting shops have been vandalised in a series of attacks.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested after five incidents where bookies’ shops were damaged yesterday and on Sunday.

In the first attack at about 11am on Sunday, a man entered Ladbrokes in Church Road, Hove, and smashed various TV screens. He left minutes later.

Staff at the branch told police the man returned to the shop just before midday yesterday – but he was immediately recognised by customer service staff and quickly left without incident.

Minutes later a man was seen entering William Hill in Western Road, Hove, where he smashed television screens and threw chairs across the shop before walking out.

About ten minutes later at Ladbrokes in George Street, Hove, a man went up to the shop’s glass front door and smashed it before making off.

Ten minutes later at Betfred in Western Road, Brighton, a man entered the shop and smashed up numerous TV screens before leaving. A man also caused a disturbance at a Corals shop in Brighton’s Western Road but there was no damage reported.

A spokesman from William Hill said a man entered the firm’s Church Road shop on Sunday and told staff “Remember me, don’t serve me”.

The spokesman added: “He said nothing today. Very strange.”

Ciaran O’Brien, PR officer at Ladbrokes, said: “We are pleased the police have apprehended a suspect in relation to these crimes.”

A spokesman from Sussex Police confirmed a 27-year-old man from Hove had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

The spokesman said: “The incidents on Tuesday October 21 are being linked to a similar series on Sunday, October 19 when a man visited a number of betting shops across the city and behaved aggressively. Damage was also caused at the Ladbrokes shop in Church Road, Hove, on Sunday.

“Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 579 of 21/10, call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”