Burglar sentenced for Bognor jewellery shop raid

A man involved in a break-in at a jewellery shop in Bognor has been sentenced.

Freddie Stevens was shown smashing through shutters at The Arcade in the High Street in a stolen vehicle.

Footage showed how he gained entry to Clayden and Co jewellers and took stock worth an estimated £30,000.

Officers arrived at the scene within minutes after an alarm was triggered.

An investigation was launched, and the movements of stolen vehicles were traced.

One vehicle, a Range Rover Evoque, was found burnt out on the A29 at Slindon, which was en-route to Stevens’ home in Bordon, Hampshire.

Back at the scene in Bognor, investigating officers found Stevens’ DNA inside the store.

Stevens was arrested and charged with burglary and two counts of taking a motor vehicle without the owners’ consent.

At Chichester Crown Court on January 27, Stevens, 22, of Gibbs Lane, Bordon, Hampshire, was jailed for two years.

The court was told about how two Range Rovers were stolen in Yapton and Pulborough in the early hours of 11 November.

One vehicle was seen driving to The Arcade shopping centre in Bognor, smashing through a shutter and along the pedestrianised thoroughfare.

The thieves forced entry into The Arcade via the High Street, but damage was also caused at the entrance in Belmont Street.

Images showed a driver and one man who matched Stevens’ description taking apart shutters at the front of the jewellery shop inside.

An alarm was activated at the jewellery store at 2.12am, and within four minutes the vehicle had left the area.

The damage caused to the shopping centre meant all stores were closed for two days for repairs to be made.

Meanwhile the owner of Clayden and Co reported that as much as half of their stock was taken, causing a significant impact in the run up to Christmas.

District Commander Chief Inspector Adam McCaig said: “This was a shocking incident that caused significant disruption to businesses and the community.

“Officers arrived within minutes, and following a thorough investigation we were able to identify one of the two suspects as Freddie Stevens.

“I would like to thank businesses and the public both for their patience and also for their support for our investigation. Their help has ensured Stevens had no choice but to plead guilty when this matter went to court. I am pleased he is now serving a custodial sentence.

“Anyone with further information about this incident can report it to Sussex Police online, quoting serial 71 of 11/11/2026, or alternatively contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”