BARS often have to replace missing beer glasses pinched by drunken revellers – but few expect customers to make off with an entire table.

That is exactly what happened in one popular Brighton cocktail bar when a man stole a custom-made antique table worth £800.

Bohemia in Meetinghouse Lane has released CCTV images of the man suspected of making off with the precious piece of furniture.

A customer was caught on camera sneakily edging the table closer and closer to the front door.

Whenever a member of staff walks past him the man discreetly sits on the antique to hide what he was up to.

“But as he manages to get the table close to \the door he makes a break for it, picking up the drum and running off into The Lanes.

The piece was made by local artist Paul Harrison using an antique drum, painted with a special design with added legs so it can be used as a table.

Christian Glover, general manager, said: “I think everybody has just been a bit shocked by it.

“You do not expect someone to walk off with a big drum. It was just completely out of the blue.

“It was quite busy so it was not seen. It was one of the first times we come across actual theft and someone taking an obvious piece of furniture.

“It was not accidental or a laugh and we hope someone knows who he is.”

The police are now investigating the incident to try and track the brazen thief after the incident on at 1am on April 24.

Bohemia’s owner Verity Craig said: “It was a busy night.

“Eventually he manages to get it to the front door and then quickly lifts it, and runs off up The Lanes.

“Amazing really since it is a very large and heavy table.

“The images that we have taken from our CCTV show the man in question very clearly so I am hoping someone may recognise him and even recall seeing where our drum table is.”

Do you recognise this man? If so call then police or pop into Bohemia. 

Background

THIS table thief is not the only swindler to have made off with odd items in the county.

Earlier this year a £9,000 solid bronze bird bath called Noah’s plate was stolen from a back garden in Lewes.

Hundreds of saplings have been stolen in recent months from sites such as the Lewes to Ringmer cycleway.

A group of guerrilla gardeners had their daffodils stolen after they planted them to brighten up Fiveways.

Thieves also made off with 5,000 bottles of wine from the Bolney Wine Estate.