Banksy artwork taken from gallery

Nine Banksy paintings were stolen in two separate burglaries

Limited edition prints of artwork by guerrilla artist Banksy have been taken in two raids at a gallery in Sussex.

A total of 10 items valued at about £10,000 - nine of them by Banksy - were stolen on 20 and 24 May.

Sussex Police said it appeared the Artrepublic gallery, in Bond Street, Brighton, had been "purposely targeted for the Banksy works".

Two men were seen smashing windows and running away from the store on the two separate occasions.

Pc Rachel Piggott said: "Banksy artwork is very desirable but extremely rare and difficult to get hold of, therefore I urge any galleries to contact us if they are offered these works for sale."

STOLEN PRINTS Morons Jack & Jill Virgin Mary (two copies) Napalm Welcome To Hell (two copies) Gangsta Rat (two copies) Reservoir Troopers (Scrawl Collective piece)

One of the stolen items was a Scrawl Collective work called Reservoir Troopers that "may have been mistaken for a Banksy print", Pc Piggott added.

Six pieces of artwork were stolen in the first burglary at about 0500 BST on 20 May.

Another four were taken at about 0200 BST four days later.

Pc Piggott said the two men were likely to have fled in a vehicle parked or waiting in the North Laines area of Brighton.

The suspects are described as white and aged between 16 and 20.

They both wore hooded tops and one was carrying a black record bag.