Painting worth thousands of pounds stolen from cottage

Police are investigating two burglaries at the same property earlier this month.

According to a police statement, two burglaries which took place at the same property in Linchmere, near Haslemere, on the Sussex-Surrey border earlier this month are being investigated by police.

In each case high value property was stolen from a secluded cottage in Linchmere, near Fernhurst.

Thieves first struck between June 3-8, taking a painting worth tens of thousands of pounds from its frame. Called ‘Hope in Prison’, painted in 1862 by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones (1833-1898).

The second burglary occurred between June 17-20, and saw the theft of more than 40 pieces of silver cutlery and two silver candlesticks.

Detective Constable Pippa Hannard, of the West Sussex Priority Crime Team, said: “We’d like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in relation to either burglary or who may have other information relating to the thefts.

“We’d also like to speak to anyone who may recall seeing a blue people carrier - possibly a Vauxhall Zafira or similar - in the area on 11 and 12 June.”

Anyone able to help is asked to email [email protected] or phone 101, quoting serial 797 of 08/06 concerning the painting theft and 813 of 20/06 concerning the silverware theft.

Alternatively they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

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