THIEVES broke in through a first-floor window of The Swan Hotel in Alton High Street and stole a haul of items belonging to a young man with special needs – all while the landlord and his family were eating dinner downstairs.

Carl Lozano told the Herald his family were none the wiser to the break-in on Monday, March 30 until after the thieves had escaped with his son’s Playstation 4 console, laptop, mobile phone, and MP3 player, worth around £800.

They later posted CCTV images of the pair responsible for the break-in online, a man and a woman, and to date 7,500 people have shared the pictures.

These images have since been removed from Facebook, however, with Hampshire Constabulary’s investigation believed to be at an advanced stage.

Carl and his family have also been overwhelmed by offers of support following the break-in, with a stranger from Gosport even getting in touch to donate a laptop and phone to his son.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We received a report that shortly before 10pm on March 30 two people entered The Swan Hotel in Alton High Street. Enquiries are ongoing at this time. Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting 44200115488.”

Two bikes were also stolen from the rear of The Railway Arms overnight on April 2.