Vandals attacked a row of seafront beach huts in the early hours.

The offenders stole property and caused damage to the huts.

Police are now appealing for any information about the attacks, which were the latest in a long line of vandalism and damage on beach huts along Hove seafront.

Coun Paul Elgood, Lib Dem ward councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide, said: "This is extremely bad news and interestingly it coincides with the start of the lighter evenings and Spring.

"We are calling on the police and the council to increase patrols on the seafront to try and clamp down on this antisocial behaviour.

"Residents will now be watching very closely to see if the problems of last year resurface. The beach huts are the first targets for vandals and crime and the police and the council need to be jumping on this issue to set down a marker that this is unacceptable."

PC Lucy Arnall, of Sussex Police, said: "In the early hours a number of beach huts were damaged or broken into. We were called to reports of persons causing damage and breaking into the beach huts at about 1am and arrested two persons on suspicion of burglary.

"We believe we have tracked down all of the owners of the huts but if anybody needs to report any damage we may have missed then please do so. We are also appealing to any witnesses or anybody with information to contact us."

In September last year 19 huts were damaged in a similar overnight attack with several set on fire. That followed an earlier spate of vandalism during the summer which saw 30 huts damaged.

Residents and councillors have in the past campaigned for better lighting and CCTV in the area to improve safety and have even written to the chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council demanding action.

Beach huts sell for as much as £10,000 and are subject to an annual rent of £220, which is payable to the council.

Beach hut owners are responsible for the removal and replacement of those huts that have been vandalised beyond repair at their own expense.

The council requires all huts to be insured.

Beach hut owners must be Brighton and Hove residents and must commit to owning the hut for a minimum of three years.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council was unavailable for comment.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the attacks on the nine huts, which happened yesterday (Friday) but police are still appealing for information.

Call police at Hove on 0845 6070999.

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