Crooks steal brass monument

The Meridian monument on the Landport Estate, Lewes, is missing and the brass astronomical-style emblem may have been sold on or melted down for scrap metal.

The monument commemorated the construction of the Landport Estate and marks the point at which the Greenwich Meridian line crosses Lewes.

It has been a fixture on Meridian Road since1938 and is a familiar site to people living on the estate.

Cllr David Gray said: ''A lot of people will be dismayed to see its gone, especially people who have lived in Lewes or Landport all of their lives.

'It seems to have been taken a couple of months ago and although quite a lot of people noticed it was gone they thought it had been taken away to be cleaned or repaired.

'It also doesn't help that the monument isn't in the middle of the road and behind a bus stop.

'But obviously that's the exact point of the Meridian line.'

When the monument was set up it was calculated the site was within an inch or two of the exact spot which the line passed.

Sgt Kerry Banks of Lewes Police said: 'I've checked with the local scrap dealers and they haven't heard of anything like this.

'They also said brass doesn't attract a high value at the moment so it's more likely it's been passed on or sold in its original form.'

Police are now appealing for information which may help them to trace the monument, to assist with their investigation contact 0845 6070999.