MEMBERS of the public are being warned after a large quantity of highly toxic chemicals were stolen in a Wirral raid.

Six flasks of the "extremely dangerous" Phostoxin we taken during the burglary, which happened some time between Monday evening and this morning.

A member of staff alerted police to the burglary of the premises on Old Hall Road, Bromborough at around 7.55am today, Tuesday after finding the business unit had been broken into and all four offices had been ransacked.

Inspector Paul Harrison said: "A safe was taken in this burglary, which contained the chemical ‘Phostoxin’, which is used as a pesticide. This chemical is harmful is highly flammable and emits a highly toxic gas when in contact with water.

"I don’t believe the thieves who were involved in this burglary are aware of what they’ve taken. I’d like to appeal to them, for their own safety and the safety of others, to find a way of returning these chemicals to either the police or the fire service. This chemical is deemed extremely dangerous, and to put this into context, if fire officers where handling it, they would be wearing protective suits and full breathing apparatus.”

The chemicals are contained in six aluminium flasks. Each flask contains 30 three gram tablets that are a green/grey in colour.

A quantity of cash, laptops and computer equipment were also taken in the burglary.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0151 777 2265 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.