A WORKING men's club in the New Forest has been targeted by fruit machine raiders for the second time in a month.

The burglars broke in through a window just minutes after the 50-year-old assistant steward locked up for the night and retired to her residence upstairs.

Police raced to the scene after receiving a 999 call claiming the burglar could still be inside the premises.

When they arrived the thief had escaped and a subsequent dog search failed to turn up any clues.

Now bosses at the club have been forced to encase the machines in metal cages to stop them being emptied again.

Lyndhurst Workmans Club secretary Chris McClaren said: "The member of staff was very shaken when I got here the following morning. It's jolted everybody."

The raiders took hundreds of pounds from fruit machines before making their getaway.

It follows an earlier break-in on May 15 when thieves jammed opened the back door and stole about £3,000 from the machines.

Mr McClaren added: "There was so much mess. The contents of the fruit machines is the club's money. With a smaller club the gaming machines are the back bone of our income we have to make our money off them.

"It's a shame it got to this in a small village."

A spokesman for Hampshire police confirmed that officers were deployed to the scene at 12.30am on June 2 following a call. He said:"The caller suspected the thieves may still be in the building, but a search of the area with dogs led to no arrests."

He added: "The glass on the rear fire door had been smashed to gain entry and the fruit machine was broken into, but so far no suspects have been found."

A sandwich board has now been put outside the club that reads: "Yes we've had another break-in. If you know anything let us know. Your house might be next."

Staff at the club are particularly hoping that any young people congregating in the area may have seen something suspicious and come forward with information.

Witnesses should call police on 0845 045 4545.