Thieves steal Mayfair fireplaces

Thieves who escaped with fireplaces worth £1million from a house in Mayfair may have been helped by studying plans of the building on display at Westminster town hall.

Police believe that the exquisite fittings from 63 New Cavendish Street, an unoccupied Georgian townhouse in Marylebone, were stolen to order.

The 18th century marble hearths made by Sir Robert Adam were taken out through a fire escape corridor to an empty house in Weymouth Mews and then driven away in a lorry. The fireplaces had been boarded up and alarmed.

Plans of the empty building have been on display at Westminster Town Hall for nearly two years as a result of a planning dispute.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "They wouldn't have had much trouble finding out how to get in there. The plans are there for all to see. It is devastating really, because the fittings are the most beautiful things and should be kept in their original place."

John Scott, barman at the Dover Castle pub nearby, said: "The police told us that they were valuable and asked if we'd seen anyone acting suspiciously with a lorry."

The owner of the property, a company called Asia House, has applied to turn the building into a culture centre. It was refused planning permission by Westminster after residents objected to the proposals. It has lodged an appeal.

Police say the theft - which happened between Monday and Wednesday - would have taken some time. Anyone with information is asked to call 020 7321 9306 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.