ROBBERS behind a major £150,000 accordion theft are now stealing saxophones, it is claimed.

Since last August The Piano and Accordion Shop in Sunningdale has been targeted three times, including one botched attempt where thieves failed to break in.

Their successful raids saw those responsible take 40 handmade Italian accordions worth £130,000 between August 7 and 8 in 2016 before a further £20,000 were taken on February 4.

A store worker at the family-owned London Road shop, who preferred not to be named, said: “We’ve got no update with who stole from us, but it looks like they’ve now moved onto saxophones.

“We’re told someone broke into a saxophone store in Sussex and it bears a striking similarity to what happened to us, it seemed just as sophisticated and highly planned.”

Alto saxophones worth nearly £100,000 were stolen from sax.co.uk at an industrial estate in Crowborough, East Sussex at around 3.50am on Wednesday, April 5, police said.

Andy Freeman, spokesman for Sussex Police, added: “Police were called to Brooklands Park Industrial Estate in Crowborough at 3.50am on April 5 to a report of a burglary at an industrial unit that sells saxophones.

“An alarm at the property was activated at around 3.30am but by the time the business owners arrived those responsible had already made off.

“They stole a number of Alto saxophones which are worth between £2,000 to £3,000 each and have a combined total value just shy of £100,000.

“It is thought that intruders gained access by cutting a hole into the side of the metal unit. Two holes were also found in the metal perimeter fence.

“Due to the number of instruments stolen it is highly probable that the offenders used a van to transport them.”

Thames Valley Police released a CCTV image of a man wearing blue jeans, a blue jacket and blue shirt who may have information about the thefts at The Piano and Accordion Shop.

The force also believe another man, pictured in a black T-shirt, who may have links to the Port Talbot area in South Wales, might have information about the thefts in Sunningdale.

James Williams, spokesman for Thames Valley Police, said: “There are no updates at this time and no arrests have been made, so we continue our appeal for information and urge anyone who knows the men in the CCTV we previously published to contact us on 101.

“The incidents might be linked, we are keeping an open mind and liaising with Sussex Police."