TWO thieves stole a box of tuck shop goodies that would have helped pay for games at a youth club.

Captain Kathryn Mclean left her shopping in the lobby of the Salvation Army Centre, in Hart Place, Bicester, while she put money away.

While upstairs she heard the front door alarm and a bang — but by the time she got back to the foyer, £60 worth of shopping had disappeared.

Church leader Ms Mclean said the tuck shop was run for a young people’s group, for seven- to 11-year-olds, on Wednesday nights.

The small profit made from selling sweets, chocolate and crisps is used to buy new equipment for the group. Now that cash will have to be used to replace the shop’s stock.

Ms Mclean said: “We desperately needed new equipment — our air hockey table is broken and the children are getting a bit bored with the PlayStation.

“The tuck shop doesn’t make very much, but eventually it does mount up and we would have been able to buy some new equipment.

“We have more than 80 children on our register and, as a result of this incident, they will suffer.

“We do not charge for entry to the club and so rely on the little profit that comes from selling sweets and drinks in the tuck shop.”

Ms Mclean added: “I just think it’s a bit sad that anyone would steal from a church — it was not anything of major value, it was just kids’ sweets.

“We are a church and a well-known charity.

“Since we arrived in Bicester we have developed activities during the week to meet the needs of our community.”

A passer-by saw two men carrying a box running away from the church on Monday at about 6.15pm.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said the pair were both white and about 5ft 7-8in tall.

He added: “We are appealing for witnesses or for anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour to come forward.”

Anyone who witnessed the theft or the thieves running away should call 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk