A WAR of words has broken out between Cirencester Town FC and police after the club was targeted by thieves for the 14th time in recent years.

The clubhouse was ransacked in December by thieves who stole the safe and bottles of spirits and again on New Years Eve when a large flat-screen television, spirits and CDs were stolen, leaving a £1,500 repair bill.

And the club was broken into for the third time in as many months on Thursday this week when vandals damaged the pool table and recently replaced TV, further damage estimated at £1,000.

Ciren FC chairman Steve Abbley said it was the 14th such incident in the past six years.

And he criticised local policing for not taking enough action.

"The time before last that we were broken into the police refused to come out because there were no officers available," he said. "They rarely come out if it is in the middle of the night."

But police have hit back saying the club is not taking responsibility for its own security.

A spokesman for Gloucester Police said officers had responded to each burglary and have offered free advice from a crime reduction officer to carry out a survey and suggest how they can make it harder for criminals to target the club. Despite writing to the football club three times with the offer, they have received no response.

Sgt Garrett Gloyn, of Cirencseter police, said: "I don't think the club have taken every step they can to try and stop crime in that location. Locking the gates at the entrance would be a step in the right direction."

But Mr Abbley believes the ground is too remote and better policing is needed.

"We can make it difficult to get in but we cannot stop them from throwing a fire extinguisher through the window, that is the police's job," he said.

Groundsman Kevin Abbley said the break-ins were costing a small fortune.

He said: "It is because our site is out in the open but you would think the police would be doing everything to catch them.

"We were hit last Wednesday too when they smashed through the Barbican window but Cirencester Intruder Alarms acted quickly and disturbed them and they only got away with a bottle of booze."

Insp Steve Williams commented: "Police patrols are directed to the area during evenings and weekends however, officers have a responsibility to police a geographical area extending to nearly 270 square miles and cannot provide 24-hour coverage to one particular location or business.

"We are happy to work in partnership with the football club in addressing this matter and hope that they take heed of our advice to prevent further crimes from being committed in the future."

Anyone with information about these incidents should call police on 0845 090 1234.