A millionaire businessman today offered a reward of £5,000 after three young women were burgled at their home.

Tony Antoniades, the father of two of the victims, said: "The reward is for the return of the stolen goods and to raise awareness of the need to catch these thieves and prevent them causing devastation to other people's lives."

His daughters, Emma, 25, and Alethea, 23, and their friend Jo Rain, 25, were out of their house in Saltdean, Brighton, when burglars struck in the early hours of Sunday.

The raiders forced a window, ignored an alarm and stole silverware and jewellery worth £15,000.

The items, including silver equestrian trophies and christening and charm bracelets, were priceless to the victims.

Mr Antoniades, who runs Aristotle, formerly Eurolink, a global recruitment company based in the Old Steine, Brighton, said: "These items can't be replaced and some were handed down through the generations.

"The lives of these three girls have been invaded and their memories have been stolen. This crime dissolves a person's life, their memories and events into nothing."

Emma, a director of Aristotle, said: "I'm really upset, shocked and nervous. It is horrible and unnerving."

Emma and Alethea, who manages a stud farm, and Jo, a veterinary nurse, have lived in the house for five years.

Emma said: "We have never had any trouble before but we have now had to step up security."

Mr Antoniades was burgled at his Sussex home eight years ago. He offered a reward then and two offenders were eventually jailed.

He does not believe courts take enough account of the effect burglaries have on victims when offenders are sentenced.

He said he had a degree of sympathy for Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, who was jailed for shooting a burglar dead.

He said: "When burglars broke into my house, my younger daughter was there and she still has nightmares about it.

"Burglary is such a nasty crime. Those responsible for this latest break-in knew what they were looking for and carefully planned the raid. It was a professional job.

"I'm offering my reward to flush out the perpetrators and to stop this happening to anyone else."

Anyone with information should contact Brighton and Hove police on 0845 6070999.