Handbag stolen from dog walker's car in Brede High Woods

The woman had parked at the beauty spot at 10.20am and returned about an hour later to discover the front passenger window of her Citroen C5 had been smashed.

A handbag containing a mobile phone and credit cards was stolen.

Public engagement officer Katie Oliver said: “We believe this was an opportunist theft, as it is the first report of its kind we have had in the area.

“Despite this, we would urge anyone who is leaving their car for any period of time to remove all valuables from their vehicle - not just from sight.

“The handbag in this case was hidden beneath some towels, but it didn’t prevent the offender from smashing the window to steal it.”

The Woodland Trust has been informed about the smashed glass.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to email or call 101, quoting serial 487 of 09/02.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter Text to display

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.