Heather Mills claims Paul McCartney stole expensive paintings from her home

Police were called to the country estate of Paul McCartney Thursday night after his estranged wife reported the theft of paintings from the lodge they once shared.

Photo: Heather Mills claims Paul McCartney stole expensive paintings from her home

Heather Mills claims Paul McCartney stole expensive paintings from her home

"We checked the premises, and spoke to Heather Mills (McCartney), and as a result it was found to be a civil matter between her and her husband," Sussex Police spokesman Paddy Rea said. "There's been no theft."

Mills called police after discovering that paintings valued at an estimated 10 million pounds (Ђ15 million; US$19.5 million)s, including a Picasso and a Renoir, had gone missing, The Sun reported.

The newspaper, quoting an unidentified friend of Mills McCartney, said that McCartney had taken the paintings and reprogrammed the estate's alarm codes, and informed her Thursday night by text message.

McCartney and his wife announced their separation in May after four years of marriage and began divorce proceedings in July. They have a 3-year-old daughter, Beatrice, reports AP.

Neither Mills' nor McCartney's representatives were immediately available for comment.