RNLI station is ransacked in raid

Volunteers are working to try to keep the lifeboat operational

An RNLI lifeboat station has been broken into and ransacked by thieves.

Poole lifeboat station - the busiest RNLI coastal station in the UK and Irish Republic - was broken into overnight and left "totally wrecked".

Volunteer crew have taken time off work to sort out equipment to try to keep the 24-hour station operational.

Coxswain Jonathan Clark said: "There is no money on the site and nothing of value, just essential equipment that we use to do our job, it's just mindless."

It sickens you to see the mess Coxswain Jonathan Clark

Crime scene officers have cordoned-off the site.

Mr Clark said: "It sickens you to see the mess.

"Someone has totally wrecked our station looking for a safe or something."

Anne-Marie Clark, volunteer press officer, said: "It's such a mess, we can't see if anything was taken.

"The main thing we're trying to do is get the kit out of the station and on to the boat in case we get called out.

"Thank goodness we didn't get a shout during the night.

"We're trying to do our best, we're all volunteers, it's so upsetting."

She said she hoped nearby CCTV cameras on Poole Quay had caught those responsible in action.