A RECORD shop owner has renewed his appeal to catch a suspected thief after £1,000 worth of stock went missing.

Keith Blackmore runs The Record Album in Terminus Road, Brighton alongside his son Ben and partner David Chappell.

The trio took over the renowned shop last year, when former owner George Ginn retired at the age of 88.

But they were targeted by a crook who pretended to be a regular customer with the right patter, who was in fact using his interest as a distraction to steal from them

Ben said: “I had started to have suspicions that things had gone missing. It was when I went to put on a record that had arrived on that afternoon, that I had put out, and I couldn’t find it.

“I decided to check our CCTV. I didn’t realise what was going on until after it had happened.

“He was a really big guy, with a confident demeanour. He had been in a few times and had asked questions,so I assumed he was just a normal paying customer.”

But footage showed Ben that the suspect had moved high priced records away around the shop before taking them.

Keith, a former journalist, said the shop posted about the incident on Facebook, and an appeal was shared last month by the police and The Argus.

He said he has been contacted by the owners of other record shops who believe the man in the footage has also targeted them.

Keith, a former journalist for The Times, said he posted about the incident on Facebook, and an appeal was shared last month by the police and The Argus.

He said he has been contacted by the owners of other record shops who believe the man in the footage has also targeted them.

Keith said: “This was the first time anyone has had a proper picture of him. The best thing would be to catch him.

“I think he is despicable, if I saw him, I would tell him I want my records back.

“It is really difficult, it’s not just about the records, it’s about the time and effort it takes us to find them.”

In total 12 items were taken from the shop, which specialises in soundtracks.

Items stolen included an acetate copy of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Trainspotting, Assault on Precinct 13, Heathers, Jazz Meets India, and Halloween.

The police say anyone who recognises the large, bald suspect should contact 101 and quote 456 of 15/09.