POLICE are hunting two people seen on CCTV after an expensive clock was stolen from a shop.

The pair were captured on video in the Daniel Laurence Home and Garden store on Brighton seafront.

Owner Daniel Laurence said he had been targeted by thieves several times over the years.

In the latest incident, a clock worth almost £200 was stolen when a staff member had his back turned.

Mr Laurence said: “It was just blatant.

“The staff member had his back turned because he was serving a customer.

“We can’t chain down items because people want to pick them up and look at them.

“Over the years, people have stolen, or tried to steal, things like a cupid statue, cast iron bulldog and a wooden bamboo duck.

“Now our outside items are chained down.

“Last year when I was at my studio late at night, two guys came to steal my cast iron bulldog.

“I chased after them.

“They turned around and claimed they thought it was scrap metal.

“They offered me £25 for it, but I demanded they return it to me, which they did.

“I wasn’t scared, I was more frustrated.

“One other time, I saw a couple taking a wooden bamboo duck.

“They walked out and I spotted the duck’s foot coming out of the woman’s blouse.

“The boyfriend had stuffed it inside the woman’s shirt.

“I confronted them and they returned the item.”

Mr Laurence said due to the spate of thefts he has now installed security alarms and CCTV.

He said: “I think putting up CCTV images on social media is quite effective. The community is very responsive and helpful.

“Criminals will find it difficult to sell our items as they’re distinctive and original and someone can identify them easily.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “A man and a woman are reported to have stolen a valuable clock from the Daniel Laurence Home and Garden shop at around 3.35pm on Saturday, July 21.

“CCTV footage of the incident has been circulated on social media and police have requested this from the informant in order to progress with the investigation.

“Anyone with any information about the incident, or anyone who recognises the suspects in the CCTV, is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1181 of 31/07.”