Newhaven: Anger at lack of CCTV after ten garages burgled

People in Mariners Wharf in Fort Road, Newhaven, woke up to discover their garage doors forced open and possessions gone.

Mountain bikes, work tools and camera equipment were burgled between midnight and 4am on Saturday, June 17.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, criticised the property manager Pepper Fox after claiming he has wanted CCTV “for years”.

Mariners Wharf in Newhaven (Image: Google Maps)

The man said: “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 from it. They were so brazen to go for all of the garages.

“We have been on at our managing agent for this block of flats for years about getting CCTV, there is one way in and one way in.

“It’s a madness that there are no security cameras in place.

“The road is one way in and one way out so you would see the burglars easily on CCTV.

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“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.”

Pepper Fox acts on behalf of a client and said residents' service charge funds could be used to install cameras and it is discussing this with the client.

A spokeswoman said: “The block has never had CCTV installed. As per the terms of the lease, installing CCTV cameras would be considered an improvement, and therefore would require all leaseholder’s approval for the service charge funds to be used towards the installation of cameras.

“The garage doors are demised to the individual flats and are not managed by Pepper Fox.

“However, to assist the leaseholders, we have made a claim with the building insurance company to determine if the replacement of the garage doors can be covered by the insurance.

"We have not yet received a response, but we are actively obtaining quotes for the door repairs and/or replacements and will submit these to the insurance company for consideration.

“We would like to confirm that security is present on site during the night and will remain in place until the garage doors are secured.”

Sussex Police confirmed ten garages were broken into between midnight and 4am.

The force confirmed that push bikes, an angle grinder, saws and other hardware tools were stolen.

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