“Devastated” young people in need have been left jobless after brazen thieves stole their food trailer.

East Anglian Daily Times: The trailer which was stolen from The Mix in Stowmarket. Picture: THE MIXThe trailer which was stolen from The Mix in Stowmarket. Picture: THE MIX (Image: Archant)

The Mix Stowmarket bought the £18,000 trailer earlier this year to help plug a financial black hole when Suffolk County Council cut £60,000 of funding.

As well as a business venture to bring in £10,000 a year to the charity which works to improve the life of chances of youngsters, it also gave those in need of work some valuable experience and income.

But the theft of the trailer, which provided catering at events around Suffolk, has not only deprived the charity of much-needed income but left young people without a job when they need it most.

Even though the trailer was insured, it would take several months for it to be replaced - which operations and youth work director Dave Hannah said would be too late.

East Anglian Daily Times: The trailer which was stolen from The Mix in Stowmarket. Picture: THE MIXThe trailer which was stolen from The Mix in Stowmarket. Picture: THE MIX (Image: Archant)

“It brings in money that funds our youth work - but it also gives young people jobs,” he said.

“We were dependent on it bringing in £10,000 this year.

“We’ve known for a number of years that the funding cut was coming - that’s why we put this plan in place to get a catering trailer.

“It cost £18,000 and while we’re sure the insurance will cover that, it will take three and a half months to build.

“By the time we’ve got it, we’ll have missed all those events that we’d booked in - and that means we will have to stop youth services and lay off staff.”

That means seven young people working on the 8ft x 12ft food trailer will now no longer have employment.

But the loss in revenue could cost the wider charity as well.

“It isn’t just us losing business. It’s us losing potential services for young people,” he added.

“It’s not just a trailer where we make money. It will have a bigger impact on the lives of those young people.”

CCTV footage shows a black estate car pulling up at the locked car park in Needham Road, Stowmarket, where the trailer was stored, at 8.32pm on Saturday, August 4.

It then shows the thieves driving off with the trailer at 8.36am.

Anyone with information should call Suffolk police on 101.