Thieves targeted a Panjabi centre in Ilford making off with “thousands” from their safe and leaving doors and windows smashed yesterday.

The centre, in Ley Street, Ilford, is being examined by police today, but the burglary comes just weeks after they gained a �33,600 grant in December from a community initiative fund from Lloyds TSB bank.

President Kulwinder Atwal said: “We’ve had to send away the groups which meet here, of which one of them is for ethnic minority women recovering from mental health issues.

“They seem to have got access to the safe by cutting the electricity supply, but surprisingly the safe has been turned over,” he added. He told the Recorder he believes thousands of pounds were taken from the safe, but it is hoped the centre will be reopen tomorrow.

For more see Thursday’s Recorder.