A couple's special day has been dampened by a robbery at a wine country hotel during a wedding, with the accommodation of the bride and bridesmaids being cleaned-out by thieves as celebrations took place.
Police are investigating the theft, which occurred at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley either on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Clothing, jewellery, keys and electronics were taken from a villa that was being occupied by the bride and bridesmaids at the Lovedale resort.
A van parked near the accommodation - a work vehicle belonging to one of the people staying in the villa - was also stolen.
The theft took place while the wedding party was attending the nuptials and reception, some time between 4pm on Saturday and 4am on Sunday.
A Hunter Valley Police District spokesperson told the Newcastle Herald on Tuesday that "a number of items" were taken during the robbery on Wine Country Drive.
It is not yet known how many people were involved in the alleged crime.
Police are investigating and are urging anyone who has information that could help with their inquiry to contact Cessnock Police Station on 4991 0199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
According to the most recent statistics from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, released at the end of 2020, cases of break and enter of dwellings in the Cessnock Local Government Area have declined by about 11 per cent over the past five years - with 264 cases in the 12 months to last September.
Meanwhile there were 247 cases of thefts from dwellings in the year to September, 2020, according to BOCSAR, with the crime category remaining stable over the five-year period.
