Brighton Mod Weekender: Man's Lambretta scooter stolen

Anthony McSweeney drove from Herne Bay in Kent with friends for the annual celebrations over the bank holiday weekend and to mark his 60th birthday.

He only bought the scooter just over a week ago and was excited to display it along with hundreds of other enthusiasts.

But he did not get the chance to show off his pride and joy.

Anthony's Lambretta scooter (Image: Supplied)

Anthony had just dropped his things off at his Airbnb in Bloomsbury Place, Kemp Town, when the theft happened. He looked outside to see a man dressed all in black running off with the scooter then towing it away using another scooter.

He said: “I have been saving for about three years for the scooter. I rode down with friends for the Mod weekend. I haven’t done that sort of ride since 1982.

“I got the keys out of the Airbnb and took all the stuff off the scooter including the three big locks for it and I took them into the flat. I quickly went to the bathroom and washed my face and went back into the lounge.

“As I picked up the locks I heard what I thought was my centre stand going. It has a clicking noise.

“I looked up and the space was empty and then I saw this guy in black running at pace down the hill.

Bloomsbury Place in Brighton, the road it was stolen on (Image: Supplied)

“I ran after him shouting expletives. They had another big scooter that was a 150cc or 200cc. They tore out down Marine Parade and got away.

“I just turned 60 in August and bought this scooter a week and a half ago. I was literally 12 metres from the guy - he obviously broke the steering lock.

“The police were brilliant, they were on the doorstep within 20 minutes. The scooter is absolutely original, I paid almost £6,000 for it. These scooters are relatively easy to steal. 

“We came home on Sunday even though we had the place until Monday. My heart was gone and it put a downer on the weekend. I’m just about to ring my insurance.”

Anthony bought the scooter just over a week ago after saving for three years (Image: Supplied)

The scooter is a green and white Lambretta LI 150 series three with the number plate EBJ 634C.

Anthony said he will give a £500 reward for its safe return although he expects it has already been stripped for parts.

It is not the first time thieves have targeted scooters on the Mod weekend. A Lambretta was stolen from Brighton Railway Station car park in Stroudley Road at the 2021 event and in 2017, three scooters were stolen from Churchill Square car park.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "A 1960s era Lambretta scooter was stolen from Bloomsbury Place in Brighton just before 5pm on Friday, August 25.

"The owner was indoors when he heard and recognised the kick plate release on his scooter and ran outside his flat to see it being pushed along the road by a man dressed all in black.

"He gave chase, but the man joined the rider of another scooter and both were ridden off in the direction of Peacehaven.

"Officers attended, but there was no trace of the vehicle and subsequent enquiries have not provided any further lines of enquiry.

"Anyone with information about the theft is asked to report online or call 101 quoting serial 1126 of 25/08."