A safe full of cash has been stolen by thieves who ransacked an aeropark at East Midlands Airport, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Police were called to the Castle Donington site shortly after 9pm on Sunday, June 25.

A force spokesman said the thieves ransacked the site and damaged a display cabinet in the museum. Police have released CCTV footage the raider inside the park, showing them wearing masks to over their faces.

He said the criminals then took a safe from the Hill Top property that contained cash.

East Midlands Aeropark theft
Damage caused by thieves at East Midlands Aeropark

The Aeropark is an aviation museum and a viewing area where people can look at old planes and watch modern planes taking off from East Midlands Airport. A Just Giving page has already raised £2,000 towards repairing the damage.

On Facebook, a member of staff at East Midlands Aeropark posted: "On the evening of June 25, after a very successful open day, two offenders broke in to the Aeropark and after causing extensive damage to the shop and staff room and breaking the door to the hangar, they then stole a safe out of the shop which had a considerable amount of money inside.

"All in all they not only stole the takings but caused thousands of pounds in damages which we will have to pay to be replaced.

"As a lot of people know we are a charity and we rely on public funding and donations, which is why we have our open days.

"They are to raise money to keep the aircraft in the best shape we can.

"All of the people that work here are volunteers and we have put in an enormous amount of time, money and hard work over the past few months to make your experience with us a better one.

East Midlands Aeropark theft
Thieves left a mess at East Midlands Aeropark

"To say we are gutted and disappointed is putting it mildly.

"As you can see from the photos we need to replace, doors, windows and parts of the shop, even toys, so we would like to appeal to the public, if you can help in any way by either donating even a small amount or even if you can donate a door or window, anything that needs replacing, we would be extremely grateful.

"Thank you for taking the time to read this, hopefully the Police with catch the people that did this heartless act."

The Aeropark has started a JustGiving page to try to raise funds to repair the museum and donations can be made by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/eastmidlands-aeropark

Donations have already reached more than £2,000 of a £5,000 target.

A spokesman from Leicestershire Police said: "Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made. If anybody has any more information relating to the incident please call 101 and quote incident number 17000268666."