Soul-destroying vandals cracked windows and ripped out walls at a bowls club before leaving empty-handed in ‘two raids on consecutive nights’.

Merton Bowls Club looked like a “hurricane had gone through it”, according to the club’s secretary, after thugs targeted the 108-year-old club, based in Joseph Hood Recreation Ground.

Members were devastated to find cracked windows, wall panels removed and destroyed, and equipment strewn across the floor both inside and outside the clubhouse in Martin Way, Merton, when they showed up on Monday (February 13) morning for a meeting.

Inside the clubhouse is the club’s insignia, roll of honour listing the club’s captains, and pictures of members. Nothing appears to have been stolen during the raids, the club believes.

The Metropolitan Police is investigating.

Tina Smith, the club’s secretary, described Merton Bowls Club as a place where its members worked hard to make visitors feel welcome and safe.

“We’re devastated,” Ms Smith said.

“It looks like a hurricane has gone through it.

“It looks like they’ve ripped out the walls and ransacked the place

“It’s an invasion, but it was to no avail. We have nothing of value here. It’s soul-destroying.”

Met Police Officers were called at 7am on Monday, February 13. Officers believe the break-in happened sometime between Friday, February 10 in the evening, and early on Monday, February 13.

To offer information, call Merton police on 101, quoting crime reference number 1401750/17.