THIEVES have ransacked a new seafront venue and stole gin, champagne and iPads.

Police were called over the raid at Rockwater in Hove which has set up the Shacks by the Shore.

The shacks at Western Lawns, which sell alcohol and snacks, only opened last month.

They are part of venture capitalist Luke Davies’s plan for a £2 million relaunch of the neighbouring building which used to be The Venue and before that the Babylon Lounge.

But on Thursday morning between 5am and 6am, thieves raided the seafront shacks.

Hove Seafronts Residents Association chairwoman Angelique Henderson Van Gils posted about the raid on Facebook.

She wrote: “Sadly Rockwater’s Shacks by the Shore were broken into early this morning at about 6am.

“If anyone knows anything let me know or if someone is selling iPads, lots of Brighton Gin and many bottles of crystal champagne, keep your eye out please.”

Some seafront residents said they were awoken by the noise and one said: “It sounded like someone blaring out hip-hop then some classical music but [that] could’ve been a decoy, intended to drown out noise of a break-in.”

Previously The Argus reported how the new Rockwater venue was set to create a rooftop terrace, a restaurant and bar, and a fitness centre.

Luke Davies said he is “building something for the community” and said he wants to create a venue that everyone “can be proud of”.

Building work is continuing at the site while trade is also continuing at the seafront shacks.

It was reported they were back up and running on Thursday despite the break-in.

Responding to the break-in Sussex Police said: “We were called around 6.30am on Thursday to a report of a burglary at a business on Kingsway, Hove.

The break-in is thought to have happened between 11pm on Wednesday and 6.30am on Thursday.

“Five tablet computers and a quantity of alcohol have been reported as stolen from the premises.

“Anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area at the time, or who has any other information about what happened, is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting serial 243 of 23/07. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”