A man's treasured wedding suit has been stolen amid a spate of car thefts.

Aaron and Chanice Maullin, of Shortlands Green, Maidstone, tied the knot last month and have been left so distressed by the crime they are now looking to move away.

The thief strikes in nearby Bellmeadow

They were left shell-shocked when they were targeted by a thief who broke into their car in Park Wood and took the £250 suit, as well as Adidas trainers and two coats, on Sunday morning

The break in, and several other similar incidents in the area, took place between 5am and 7am and are being investigated by police.

The force say it believes the thefts around the Park Wood and Shepway estates are linked to reports of burglaries to sheds and garages, and additional officers will be patrolling the areas in question.

But Mrs Maullin said: “We are looking at moving now. We thought we had found a perfect family home, but that has been ripped from us overnight.

“Obviously, it’s not the poshest of areas but we have never had any issues. We saw the house, we loved it and we moved in six months ago.

“We’d never had a single issue but now, suddenly, it just feels like this home we had made for ourselves doesn’t feel safe any more. We have got a really young son there.

“I don’t feel like he’s safe. I feel so powerless, that’s the best way to put it.”

Mum-of-two Teresa Elliott, of Bellmeadow, was also targeted on the same morning, with a coat and a breakdown kit taken from her car.

Ring doorbell footage which shows the front of her property shows the criminal in action.

He is wearing a camouflage jacket, shorts and a hood over his head and is carrying an orange Sainsbury's bag, which Mrs Maullin claims was taken from her car and used to take the suit away.

The 34-year-old said: “It’s disgusting.

“I was literally in the front room when it happened as well, which makes it even more annoying.”

None of the possessions stolen from the Maullin family's grey Ford Zetec estate belonged to Mrs Maullin or her 18-month-old son, Oakley.

Theirs is just one of several cars thought to have been targeted that morning, with Mrs Maullin suggesting six to eight could have been hit that morning.

A police spokesman said: "Residents in Maidstone are reminded to be vigilant following a recent spate of thefts from motor vehicles.

"Since the beginning of this month, a number of cars in and around the Park Wood and Shepway estates have been broken into. There have also been reports of a suspect trying door handles and looking for vehicles which may have been left insecure.

"Areas targeted have included Sutton Road, Shortlands Green, Bellmeadow, Senacre Lane and Essex Road.

"The offences are also being linked to incidents in Boughton Monchelsea, where police are investigating reports of burglaries to sheds and garages.

"In total, at least 15 linked offences - relating to theft, vehicle interference and burglary - have been reported between August 3 and August 10.

"Additional officers will be patrolling the areas, supported by the Maidstone Task Force, and police are also reminding residents to lock and where possible alarm cars and to also remove any valuables overnight."

“My husband went to the car on Sunday and everything was all over the place,” said Chanice, a 21-year-old delivery consultant who married customs clearance agent Aaron in Norwich on Thursday, July 22.

“He had been through all the paperwork for the car. He stole one of my husband’s face masks as well. He had gone into the car and then went into the boot.

“We thought it was unlocked and that maybe we had forgotten to lock it at first but so many people are saying their car was locked so, thinking about it, we are sure we did lock it and that we are just going a bit crazy because we don’t know how he got into the car.”

Mrs Maullin estimates hundreds of pounds worth of goods were stolen from her family, including a Nicce coat.

“From my car, he stole £600 worth of stuff from. So I’m going to say he walked away with a good £1,000 or £1,500 overall depending on what people have in their cars,” she added

“I know he definitely hit four cars but I’m thinking he probably hit between six to eight cars.

“He’s not gone out to try his luck. He has obviously planned it.”

The most prized of those possessions was, undoubtedly, Aaron’s suit which was stolen shortly after the happy couple had returned from their honeymoon in Scotland.

Mrs Maullin said: “It wasn’t the most expensive suit in the world - it was worth about £250 - but the sentiment was insanely high.”

Anyone with information which may assist the investigation is asked to call Kent Police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/139159/21.

You can also contact Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or by using the online form on their website.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone