Police are appealing for witnesses after thieves stole bags from the Oxford Brookes University’s sport hall.

The bags were taken while their owners were in a circuit training class at the sports centre in Cheney Lane at about 7pm on Tuesday.

They had placed their bags on the other side of a partition wall while they were in the class, and returned to discover they were missing.

Items in the stolen bags include wallets, mobile phones and money.

PC Neil Bouse said: “I would like to hear from anyone who may have been at the sports centre on Tuesday and saw anyone acting suspiciously.

“Valuables should never be left unattended, even in a place where you assume them to be safe — thieves will not hesitate to strike if you give them an opportunity.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Bouse via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.