Four sought over vandalism to Hove beach huts

A total of 66 huts and chalets were damaged in Kingsway, Hove, last week.

Last Saturday, seven chalets and 26 beach huts were smashed into overnight, but nothing was reported stolen.

The four people in the CCTV were riding bikes in the Hove Promenade area between 2.30am and 5.30am on the morning of the incidents.

They were last seen leaving the area heading east on the Kingsway A259 junction with Walshingham Road, Hove.

The week before, 33 huts were broken into in the same area. Officers are linking the four people to those reports.

Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn, of the Wish ward, was one of the victims of the vandalism.

He was “upset” by the incident, and said the “little haven” of huts had been violated.

The Tory described it as “mindless vandalism”.

He said at the time: “I’ve had the beach hut for about 15 years and honestly, this was just mindless vandalism.

“My hut had its lock broken and they also damaged a plastic container inside.

“To me, it is clearly deliberate because you would need to use an angle grinder to wrench the locks apart.

“It’s very upsetting for me, and the other owners because the huts are a little haven and they’ve been violated.

“This is the second time it has happened.

“I hope all the owners have been notified.

“It’s not just the cost of repairing the damages but it’s the inconvenience as well.

“It’s very unsettling.”

When The Argus visited the scene last weekend, some of the huts, which can be worth up to £25,000 each, were boarded up.

Most of the city’s iconic huts are privately-owned, while some can be rented from the council.

Others were gaping open with doors hanging at an angle.

Sussex Police are working with Brighton and Hove City Council’s seafront team to find out what happened.

Anyone with information about the incidents should call the force on 101 quoting serial 246 of 07/04.

You can also report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Their website is crimestoppers-uk.org.