Neighbours are devastated after ten garages were broken into and thousands of pounds worth of property stolen.

Residents in Fort Road, Newhaven, woke up on Saturday morning to find their garages forced open and their valuables all gone.

The burglary happened between midnight and 4am.

One person, who asked not to be named, said his weekend plans with his family had been ruined.

He told The Argus: “It is devastating, I just felt run down. I had a busy week last week. You get home Friday, you have a beer, watch a film and look forward to the weekend doing something with the family.

“But instead you spend the entire weekend on the phone to companies, walking around Newhaven looking for things and you’re exhausted, then you’re back to work.

“Although it’s personal possessions, I feel incredibly sorry for people who have lost their ability to earn a living. Some people have lost their livelihood.”

“All of the garages have been damaged, some are damaged beyond any kind of repair. Everyone has lost varying things, one resident lost tens of thousands of pounds' worth of tools and mechanical equipment. That is inhibiting his ability to earn a living.

“There is no CCTV around the buildings, it’s typical. It’s bonkers they have managed to get away with it. They were so brazen to go for all of the garages.

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“It was only when people came out in the morning and we saw the garages busted open.

“It was either a very professional job or a very stupid one. If you look at the garage doors, they have left fingerprints all over them. None of them were wearing gloves. They have been caught on CCTV from the Co-op nearby.

“Neighbours were on the phone to the police and property agent. People were distraught.

“It seems to be a thing in Newhaven, there were garages burgled last month and the same again back in January.

"I think one chap had a motorbike stolen. People lost really expensive work tools, other people have lost cameras, bags, anything that looks valuable.”

The man had two mountain bikes stolen, antique camera equipment passed down from grandparents and an imitation fire arm used for airsoft.

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses to the burglary, which was in the Mariners Wharf area of Newhaven.

A spokesman said: “Police are appealing for witnesses and information after garages were broken into in Newhaven.

“The incident happened at Mariners Wharf in Fort Road between midnight and 4am on Saturday, June 17.

“Ten garages were broken into, and a large number of items were taken including a push bike, drills, an angle grinder, saws, and other hardware tools.

“Officers are investigating, and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

“They have also appealed for anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage in the area to report it.

“Forensics have attended the scene and taken items for forensic examination.

Information can be reported to Sussex Police online, quoting serial 289 of 17/06.”