A FOOTBALL club has been left devastated after 12 cars were smashed into while players were training at Ruskin Drive.

Shortly after 9pm on Thursday, the vehicles were broken into while players from Windle Labour FC were training at the Dentons Green site.

The vehicles were smashed and items were taken from inside the vehicles, including mobile phones, cash and clothing.

The club has reported that one of the cars contained paperwork and bank cards details and that within 20 minutes, a stolen card had been used to withdraw £700 from the club account.

Other personal items of envelopes also contained money for the Windle Labour Golf Society.

After the break-ins, Acting Inspector Neil Birkett said: "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.

"The damage caused to the cars would have made some noise and I’m sure if you saw or heard anything suspicious at that time of night you’d remember it.

"Thieves are opportunists and will look for signs that a vehicle contains items that are worth stealing. But people can frustrate them by taking a few very quick and simple steps whenever leave their vehicle for any period of time.

"Firstly, always lock your car fully and leave it somewhere which is well-lit and, if possible, covered by CCTV cameras. If you have a security alarm, make sure you use it.

"Secondly, take every item of value with you when you park up and certainly don’t leave any on display - sat navs leave tell-tale suction marks on your windscreen, car adaptors can indicate something valuable may be inside, and cash.

“And thirdly, register your valuables with the free website Immobilise.com so that if we catch the thief who stole them, we can reunite you with your belongings."