A YOUTH project commended for its commitment to slashing crime has been targeted by burglars.

Raiders struck at the Youth Works headquarters, in Sudellside, stealing a PlayStation games console, two controllers and eight games -- valued at around £250.

The charity, run by Groundwork, helps steer youngsters away from a life of crime and was last year awarded a national honour for its work in reducing crime and disorder. Police slammed the theft as a "slap in the face."

Sergeant Andrea Bradbury, of Darwen Police, said: "Youth Works is a beacon to other projects across the country and it's a disgrace that it has been targeted. Youth Works for us has had a significant impact in the area in reducing crime and disorder and we are very, very grateful for that. This theft is like a slap in the face to those that are helping others."

Sgt Bradbury said the burglars climbed onto the roof before unscrewing window bars, which had only recently been installed as part of tougher security measures.

Once inside they smashed interior doors before making off with the PlayStation, which the charity got less than a month ago.

Purnima Tanuka, managing director of Groundwork Blackburn, said: "We've lost a lot of equipment that's going to be hard to replace and it's only thanks to our new security measures we didn't lose much more. The real damage, however, is to the morale of the project staff and the young people who use the centre.

"Youth Works is about working positively with young people so it is ironic that the people who will suffer are those who are making an effort to help themselves."

Around 100 people from the Sudellside area use the project and are said to be devastated by the theft. Sgt Bradbury appealed for people to come forward with any information and said officers were following a number of lines of inquiry.

If anybody has any information they should contact Sgt Bradbury on 01254 353844 or Darwen CID 01254 353841. Alternatively they could call CrimeStoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.