A Salvation Army support centre for at-risk teenagers has been burgled three times in just over a month, costing the service thousands of dollars in damage and stolen property.
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Salvation Army's Oasis Youth Residential Service, which supports youths who are in trouble with the law, homeless or who suffer alcohol and drug problems, was broken into on November 7, December 9 and December 12.
The first burglary at the Waramanga site saw thieves take a safe, which contained cash, a cheque book and gift vouchers for Christmas shopping.
In the subsequent break-ins, thieves took an iPad, a computer hard drive, cab vouchers, Salvos Stores vouchers, Christmas gifts, and a master key to the office.
Salvation Army Captain Dale Murray said the site had been completely ransacked.
''Property damage like filing cabinets being broken into, locks being broken into, drawers being overturned, it's just a mess.''
Captain Murray said there was nothing to suggest that the service's clients might have been responsible, but said it should not be ruled out as a possibility.
''We don't have the result of the police investigation ... but I'm sure that's one of the avenues they would be looking at,'' he said.
''We don't want to point fingers at anyone, the bottom line is the place has been broken into and stuff has been stolen, and it's causing us hardship.
''We just want to get whoever has done this.''
The burglaries have been costly for the service, which relies on donations and government support for funding.
Captain Murray said the Salvation Army would do everything it could to ensure that the burglaries didn't lead to a loss of support for any of its young clients.
''For this to happen at this time, so close to Christmas, you know they're trying to deal with all these kids' issues, and to have this all on top of it is quite significant,'' he said.
''There is added pressure put on the service at Christmas time and my understanding is the service is continually full, there's never a night where there's spare rooms there.''
Police are investigating the incident and are calling for witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.
