Police Valentine's cards sent to villains in Brighton and Hove caused a lover's tiff in one burglar's home.
His girlfriend spotted hearts on the card as he opened it and threw an ashtray at him.
Neither realised until later that the card was not from a love rival but from the police, as a reminder they were watching him.
The man had just been released from prison when the card dropped through his letterbox.
The burglar's lawyer said he was concerned the cards might be an invasion of privacy.
But Superintendent Coll said: "If that was the case, every piece of mail would be an invasion.
"I'm sorry if our card affected this particular burglar's love life but it is nice to know our message hit home."
Police sent cards to their top ten burglars and car criminals.
They read: "Will you be my Valentine? I'm hoping we can meet. We have a cosy cell prepared here at John Street."
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