THIEVES broke into a cricket clubhouse in Birkenhead Park and caused damage running into thousands of pounds.

They smashed their way through the roof of St Mary's Cricket Club in the early hours of Thursday morning, stole cricket kits and equipment and also took money from the tills.

The destruction was discovered hours later by club treasurer Bill McGenity, who told the Globe: "All we want is for somewhere to play cricket and are just days away from the new cricket season and someone comes along and does this. It's attacked at least once a season, but enough is enough and I just wish they'd leave the building alone.

"Until a few months ago there was barbed wire on top of the walls to stop kids getting on the roof for somewhere to party. But the building was refurbished as part of a £11m heritage project of the park and the wire had to go.

"I understand why it had to happen, but it's just led to a disaster for the club. Luckily, the building is insured and it's going to cost about £5000 to repair the roof. But the stolen equipment wasn't, which means we're going to have pay for its replacement out of own pockets.

"Unfortunately, we can't afford CCTV cameras which is frustrating because they may have helped us to find out who did this." Three years ago arsonists caused thousands of pounds of damage in a blaze. Last month the clubhouse shutters were damaged and phone lines cut during another break-in.

Alan Stennard, Wirral's director of regeneration, said: "The break-in is regrettable and we will obviously be providing whatever assistance we can to the police to help identify those responsible.

"We take security in all our parks and open spaces very seriously and employ a variety of measures to minimise the risk of crime occurring there. Community Patrols are out regularly throughout Birkenhead Park, as are police community support officers, and there is a network of CCTV cameras monitored 24 hours a day. In addition, vehicle access to the park is not allowed at night."

including Birkenhead Park, but we are never complacent and always keep security provisions under review."

A man has been arrested and released on bail pending further enquiries.