Police are searching for a Brighton man over alleged offences of blackmail and stealing a car which was then driven into a house.

Stephen Lowe, 41, who is also known as Stephen Gumbrill, is wanted over an alleged conspiracy to blackmail a man from East Sussex by demanding a quantity of cash between December 2016 ad March 2017.

He is also wanted for an aggravated vehicle taking from March 2017, when a car was stolen from Bristol Road in Brighton and then driven into a house in The Esplanade, Peacehaven.

The impact caused substantial damage to the front of the house, although nobody was in the address at the time.

Lowe also failed to appear at Brighton Magistrates Court on May 29 of this year to answer a charge of car theft from April.

Sussex Police’s website describes Lowe as white, 5’11”, with receding brown/greying hair and a number of tattoos on his arms.

It also says that whilst he is known to have lived at a Brighton address earlier this year, he may have also travelled to Southern Europe.

Authority has been given by the CPS for him to be charged with the alleged vehicle taking and blackmail offences when he is arrested.

Detective Constable Claire Linsell of the Eastbourne Investigations Team, said; “Anyone who has seen Lowe or has information on his whereabouts, is asked to contact us online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Bakerloo.

“Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“But if you see him or know where he is now, do not approach him but contact us via 999.”