BLOOD left at the scene of a break-in could be the key to solving a spate of burglaries.

More than a dozen businesses across Brighton and Hove have been targeted in recent weeks.

The string of raids – all very similar – involve burglars breaking a shop’s glass panel frontage and attempting to take money from the till.

La Cave a Fromage in Western Road, Bistro Nantais in Church Road and Franco’s Osteria in Victoria Terrace, all Hove, are among the many attacked during the spree.

Blood left at the scene of the most recent break-in at Art Shop and Pottery in Western Road, Hove, on Monday morning could help police find their suspects.

The shop, owned by husband-and-wife team Adam and Gillian Chapman, both 56, sells art materials and runs creative workshops.

Mr Chapman said: “We looked and we saw blood.

“There was not enough of it – seven pints of it would of been my preference. It’s just very sad a business that helps a lot of people has been targeted in this way.”

Neighbours heard a commotion at the shop at about 5am on Monday.

The Chapmans, who inspected the scene later that morning, said nothing was stolen – and believe the would-be thieves mistook their till for an iPad.

They said Sussex Police were “brilliant” and forensic officers took blood samples and fingerprints within hours.

Mrs Chapman said: “[The burglars] didn’t go downstairs – I guess they didn’t know where the lights were.

“They didn’t get anything, you can guess what kind of people are desperate enough to do this.”

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Anyone who witnessed the burglary or has any information about it should report online or ring 101 quoting serial 287 of 19/08.”

There are thought to be more than a dozen break-ins of this kind in recent weeks.

Last week, The Argus reported how burglars were chased by heroic neighbour from hairdressers in Upper North Street, Brighton.