THIEVES ransacked the joint premises of Birkenhead British Legion and Royal Naval Association twice over the weekend.

Doors were rammed, windows smashed and a video player and CCTV camera were taken during the first raid at the building in Park Road East, Birkenhead on Saturday morning.

The following morning a slot machine was smashed open and money taken from the Royal Navy Club's till, situated in the same building, during a second break-in.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of burglary following the break-in on Saturday morning and have been released on conditional bail, pending further enquiries.

Investigations into both incidents are underway and police are appealing for witnesses.

Tanya Cawood, chairwoman of the British Legion Birkenhead branch, has launched an appeal to raise funds to buy security shutters for the building.

She told the Globe this afternoon: "This building is a massive part of the community and it needs to be protected from more break-ins.

“I'm sickened that somebody would break in without caring about the consequences of their actions.

"It was heartbreaking to come and see the damage they had done.

"I wished I'd have caught them myself.

“We have all raised funds over the years to make the Legion headquarters a memorial to those who have served in conflicts across the world, spent so much on the place.

“This was the first legion in Birkenhead and this act of vandalism just shows how little respect some people can have."

Eddie Young, from the Royal Naval Association committee which runs the Royal Navy Club, added: “We last had a break-in a few years ago, but I’ve never known it happen where there have been two break-ins over the same weekend.

“It just shows what kind of a society we’re living in these days.”

Councillor Jim Crabtree, who designed a memorial that stands in the legion garden, described the weekend's events as: "Mindless vandalism. Why would anyone want to break in and steal?"

Birkenhead Neighbourhood inspector Georgie Minnery said: "We are treating these as two separate incidents and are pleased to have arrested two suspects for the incident in the early hours of Saturday.

"We had patrols operating in the area and officers were able to get to the scene quickly and detain them.

"We believe a third person may have been involved and would appeal for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious late on Friday night going into Saturday morning to contact us.

"Sadly the club was targeted again, this time during Saturday night into Sunday and staff arrived at work Sunday morning to find last night’s takings missing.

"Considerable damage has also been caused during both incidents and they are understandably upset and want everything possible to be done to catch the offenders.

"I would urge people in the local community to come forward if they saw anything suspicious at or near the club on either night, or have any other information about who might have been involved."

Witness can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

To help raise funds for the shutters, visit Tanya's Facebook page, email tanya.caywood@btopenworld.com or call 07791091869.