ONE of Harrow's most famous pubs was burgled in the early hours of Saturday, May 19.

The Leefe Robinson VC, Uxbridge Road, Harrow Weald is named after Harrow's most decorated war hero Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson.

Lieutenant Robinson was the first pilot to shoot down a German airship during the First World War - he later received the Victoria Cross for his gallantry.

But a 5am robbery by organsied criminals, who smashed the pub's patio window to get in, has forced police to demand the pub removes its fruit machines until better security is installed.

Brave pub manager Brandon Martin, 31, told the Harrow Times how he saw the wreckage of the raid in his pub.

He said: "The alarm was going off and I got out of bed and looked out of the window, the barriers to the car park were down and I couldn't see anything.

"I came downstairs within 60 seconds, opened the door and saw parts of the fruit machines all over the floor.

"I rang the alarm provider immediately and asked him to make the police come quickly because I wasn't sure if the thieves were still in the pub."

Brandon has managed the pub for two-and-a-half years and lives there with his wife, and explained that two months ago there was an attempted break in "but the alarm scared them off".

He added: "Nobody was hurt, so that is good news, but it is annoying they have damaged the building and entered into my home."

The pub is covered by CCTV and police have launched an appeal for anyone with information to come forward to help them with their investigation.

Anyone with information can telephone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Harrow CID on 0208 733 3482.