Big Issue seller loses everything

The caravan he lived in was stolen from Seville Street in Brighton.

Bel, who commutes to Bexhill almost every day, said:

"My whole life was in there. I can't believe what has gone missing - it's just so much."

Having stayed away for a couple of nights, he returned to Seville Street to discover his 15ft cream-coloured trailer had gone.

A neighbour had noticed immediately but assumed it was Bel moving on so did nothing.

Bel went up and down the street to ask other residents if they had seen anything, and also to check if they had CCTV's which might have picked up the theft on screen - but no-one was able to help.

He had lived in the caravan for two and a half years; all his possessions were there as well as his savings.

"It was really nice inside," he said.

"It was not a battered old caravan."

He is hoping anyone who has seen it will get in touch; a distinguishing feature is that one of the skylights on the roof is missing.

"One night when it was really windy, the wind ripped the skylight off and smashed it on the ground. I used to put a board on top, with a sheet of plastic over it, to keep the rain out."

The 38 year old is now in temporary accommodation.

"Bexhill people have been very supportive. I've had a couple of boxes of clothes and a bit of money - not a lot, but it all helps. I'd like to thank the people who have helped me out. But I am just thinking of everything I've lost - it is totally gutting."

Items inside the caravan included work tools, clothes, and the old-fashioned gas lamps he used because of lack of electricity.

"I had my buddhas in there; I thought that would protect it because people looking in would know there was someone living inside, and it was a person with good kharma."

Selling Big Issue magazines from his patch outside Somerfield, Bel has made many friends in Bexhill - several locals have contacted the Observer to voice their concern, including Jackie Bialeska and Jonathan Linsley.

David Ball of Natural Flow in Clifford Mews said: "He is in a right mess.

"Bel is a local character, he adds to local flavour, so I'm wondering what the people of Bexhill can do, to help him in some way.

"Maybe we could set up a bank account for him.

"It is pretty hard - he has lost everything. He tries his best and is hardworking, but sometimes you need a bit of a lift up.

"I just want to help somebody who is trying to help himself. He is trying to sort himself out and this is a devastating blow."