BRAZEN thieves were caught on camera stealing up to £6,000 from a struggling veteran’s bar.

The pair struck at the Royal British Legion in Northview Drive, Westcliff, in the early hours of Monday morning.

The theft has left the club struggling to pay wages to its staff.

Bar manager Helen Forrest, 42, said: “We struggle every day. This was hard work. It’s very sad.

“I could understand it if we were a rich club but we aren’t.

“We have so many people who do so much work for us and we get a couple of scumbags who think it’s okay to steal from us.

“They did look like they knew where they going.”

The two men were captured on CCTV walking to the club from the direction of London Road.

After breaking in, they are seen leaving the club and return a further three times, between 1am and 4am.

Legion treasurer Jill Stone, 58, said: “The barman had gone home early because there was nobody in here.

“He set the alarm and went off.

“Two people came down our alleyway and got in somehow.

“They pushed the lock through and then jemmied open a bar door to the kitchen.”

The thieves stole about £1,900 from a Lotto machine and up to £5,000 in floats from a safe.

Mrs Stone said: “We are struggling as it is. We have to look at the bank account every day to make sure we have the money to pay the bills.

“I suppose it could have been worse, they could have smashed the place up.

Members were not allowed in on Monday while repairs were carried out.

Mrs Stone added: “Because we are the Royal British Legion we do fundraisers and things for the Poppy Appeal so we are an extension of the charity.

“So it is stealing from a charity.

“The members were shocked. They were all really angry that someone could do such a thing.”

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101.