A THIEF stole hundreds of pounds worth of drills in a late-night raid on a hardware store.

The burglar broke into the B&Q store in Brighton Road, Shoreham, shortly before 11pm on Friday.

Four De Walt drills valued at £460 were taken from the shop’s display area.

Police have now released details of a suspect they are trying to trace. The suspect, estimated to be about 5ft 10in tall, was captured on CCTV wearing a black motorbike helmet with the visor down, a black parka style coat, black jeans and black trainers with white soles. They were carrying a black holdall and a white bag.

A moped rider matching this description was seen nearby soon after the drills were stolen, but they did not stop for police and the force has been unable to trace them since.

PC Ben Harman said: “This is a particularly unpleasant offence, at a time when B&Q are supporting the NHS with supplies of personal protective equipment.”

He continued: “If you saw the suspect in the area that night, perhaps on a moped, or if you think you may be able to put a name to this burglar in black, please contact us either online or by calling us on 101, quoting serial 1300 of 27/03.”