Thief steals $400k handbag from Melbourne mansion

A thief has stolen $1 million worth of designer handbags from a Melbourne mansion, including one worth $400,000.

The owner of the 30 handbags – the wife of a Chinese businessman – became "hysterical" when she returned home to Brighton from a trip to China last Monday and found the bags missing, the Herald Sun reports.

The $400,000 piece is a red Hermes Himalayan crocodile bag and is one of the world's most expensive fashion items.

“The lady came home and was extremely upset to discover that the bags were all missing from the shelves of her walk-in wardrobe,” Detective Senior Constable David McCarthy told the Herald Sun.

“The thieves had forced open a door and bypassed the security system somehow.”

As well as the handbags, several pieces of expensive jewellery were also taken, but the value of the items are not yet known.

Police are interviewing any staff who worked in the house in the last few months and have also made contact with online auction sites.

Anyone with any information is being urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to crimestoppersvic.com.au.