Thieves strike at art gallery

The thief walked into First Sight in the High Street in Old Town, and took the book of watercolour pieces by Alvaro Petritoli, which was on a display table, before sneaking off.

William Waldie, the gallery's owner, said: "The thief could have taken it to sell on to another gallery elsewhere in the country or just liked the paintings and saw an opportunity. It seems to me that this was premeditated.

"With hindsight I should have kept the book out in the back and brought it out for people interested in seeing the paintings.

"It was only in the shop for two months. We have been operating since last December."

Mr Waldie said he did not know what time on Saturday the book had been stolen.

The A4 size book, which has a green cover, contains around 60 original watercolours by Petritoli depicting scenes from around Hastings and St Leonards, ranging from 10x7cm to 25x18cm in size.

Mr Waldie said: "The book is like a photo album and inside is information about Petritoli."

Police and the Italian artist Petritoli, who is originally from Rome, are now appealing for the safe return of the unique book of paintings.

PC Duncan Cleverley, of Hastings Police, said: "This unique book depicts a number of local scenes in and around the town, and will be difficult for the thief to sell on.

"I would like to appeal for its safe return. Anyone who knows of its whereabouts can contact police on 0845 6070999."

In a separate investigation, officers have been handed two art books this week which were sold to a shop in the Old Town.

The owner contacted police when they became suspicious as to their origin.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who has had a leather bound copy of 'Rosentiels Atelier collection volume 1" or a fabric bound copy of 'The Concise Universal Biography volume One' go missing.