FLASKS of dangerous toxic chemical "Phostoxin" have been found in Bebington Cemetery after they were stolen in an overnight raid.

The deadly chemicals were contained in a safe taken from the offices of Prokill pest controllers in Bromborough by thieves on Monday night.

Six aluminium flasks, each containing 30 three-gram green/gret tablets – which emit a highly toxic gas when they come in contact with water – were among the missing items, as well as computer equipment, laptops and a quantity of cash.

Merseyside Police yesterday urged the thieves to return the chemicals, used to kill rodents underground, for their own safety and others.

Officers said Phostoxin is so dangerous that protective suits and breathing equipment is needed when handling it.

Five of the six aluminium flasks containing the chemical have now been recovered by police after a member of the public found the safe and canisters left in Bebington Cemetery late on Tuesday afternoon.

Officers carried out a search of the area but one canister remains outstanding.

Police are urging anyone who has any information or knows of the whereabouts of the sixth canister to find a way of returning it to either the police or the fire service.

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.”

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