THIEVES broke into a not-for-profit family activity centre and stole thousands of pounds worth of equipment - hours before its new youth space was due to open to the public.

Devastated staff at the Soul Project, in Wood Street, arrived at work this morning to find a window smashed and mixing decks, ipods and speakers stolen.

The thieves even stole a charity collection box containing £400 donated by customers.

Steve Barnabis, director of the centre, said: “It is very disappointing and I am angry.

“The customers have been disgusted by this break in.

“It has been a struggle to get the project off the ground with the credit crunch as it is.”

The thieves tampered with the alarm, smashed a ground floor window, and managed to break into the room containing the DJ equipment, before stealing food from the kitchen.

Fortunately they did not take anything from the new youth space, which was due to open at 9.30am.

Mr Barnabis is considering investing in extra security, but he refuses to let the break-in get him down and the centre re-opened this afternoon.

The Soul Project provides a wide range of activities for children and young people.

Young children can play in the Tumble in the Jungle soft play area, which has a range of summer holiday activities and features children's entertainers dressed as fun characters.

Children aged eight to 12 years can use the new youth space, which has been fitted out with computer games and other interactive activities.

The purpose of the Soul Project is to strengthen families, which it believes are the “backbone of communities”.

Last night's burglary happened between 8.30pm and 7am this morning.

Mr Barnabis hopes to be able to recover usable CCTV footage of the burglars.

Anybody with information should call Wood Street safer neighbourhood policing team on 8721 2768 or crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For more information about the Soul Project visit www.thesoulproject.com