Police are investigating a bizarre break-in at the True Crime Museum in Hastings, East Sussex, where an intruder went on a three-hour rampage, causing significant damage and ironically posing for his own mugshot at a museum exhibit designed for that very purpose.
Early Morning Intrusion and Destruction
The incident began around 1am on 9 April, when the man climbed over locked gates to enter the building. According to assistant curator Laura Green, he was inside for approximately three hours, during which he trashed front signage, threw A-boards into the road, and violently attacked cardboard cutouts of the notorious Kray twins.
Ironic CCTV Capture
While much of his activity occurred off-camera, CCTV footage captured the man standing directly in front of the museum's height-chart exhibit, which is designed as a photo opportunity for visitors to simulate police mugshots. "He's literally standing right in front of our police mugshot photo opportunity," Green told The Independent. "It's terribly ironic that he's right in front of it. And we're hoping he'll be standing in front of a real one very very soon."
Failed Theft Attempt and Rampage
The intruder attempted to kick in the office door but was unsuccessful due to the museum's tight security measures. "We think he was trying his luck to steal things, but because we have such tight security he wasn't able to," Green explained. "So then he went on a rampage and started trashing the place." Fortunately, nothing was stolen, and the main museum area behind steel doors remained secure.
Local Crime Wave Concerns
The museum has posted CCTV images on Facebook, appealing for information about the suspect while noting that several local businesses have experienced similar break-ins recently. "It seems to be happening everywhere in Hastings at the moment," Green added. "So many other local businesses have had this." Sussex Police confirmed they received a report of the attempted burglary and are conducting an ongoing investigation.
Potential Exhibit Material
Given the museum's focus on criminal history, staff are considering turning the incident into an exhibit. "It's quite possible we'll make an exhibit out of it," Green said. "We already have a small exhibit in here about a previous break in from when we first opened. Perhaps it's due a refresh."
Museum's Macabre Collection
The True Crime Museum, located along Hastings' seafront, houses a collection of dark artefacts from some of the UK's most infamous crimes. These include:
- The bath used by hitman John Childs to dismember victims
- Nooses from historical executions
- A genuine lethal injection death bed
- Prison-made weapons and crime-related firearms
Last year, to mark the museum's 10th anniversary, curator Joel Griggs purchased serial killer Rosemary West's prison underwear for £2,500, obtained from a former prison officer at HMP Bronzefield.
Police Investigation Continues
Sussex Police stated that the suspect caused damage to display equipment and the museum door between 1.30am and 3.50am. Officers have reviewed CCTV and carried out enquiries, with the investigation remaining active. Anyone with information is urged to contact police, quoting serial number 377 of 09/04.
