JUST one person dialled 999 after a “thief” was seen breaking into a car during an undercover police operation in Witney.

During the staged heist, named “Operation Jugular” and organised by the Safer Communities Partnership, plain-clothed policeman PC Simon Collins was seen acting suspiciously around a number of vehicles before breaking into a green Rover in the busy High Street.

As he ran off with a laptop and mobile phone, just one man, pushing a buggy, gave chase and called the police.

In the past year thefts from vehicles have risen in west Oxfordshire by 32 per cent. In 2008, there were 59 offences but this year has seen 78 thefts.

PC Collins hoped the operation would encourage people to call the police if they see something suspicious.

He said: “The gentleman, who followed me with a child in pushchair, was really brave.

“There were quite a few people who noticed, but kept themselves at a distance. That was the best we could hope for. My honest thought was that we probably wouldn’t hear of anyone calling the “theft” in.”

PC Collins, dressed in a red T-shirt and khaki shorts, began his “honey-trap” ploy at Waitrose car park, off Witan Way, where he tried the handles of car doors. Nobody reported this to the police.

The policeman’s description was then radioed through to approximately 20 shops and pubs in Witney, asking staff to keep an eye out for him.

When PC Collins reached the High Street, he targeted a car left by police colleges that had a window left open and a mobile phone and laptop in view inside.

He broke into the car, set off the alarm, and ran off with the goods.

Mark Thomas, 33, who was with his toddler son, followed the “thief”, along with a grey-haired woman, and called the police.

When shown the policeman’s identification, Mr Thomas, 33, of Witney, said: “I had been in the Millets store and there was a description of him on the radio.

“I was walking down the road and when I heard the alarm go off. I thought I would try to see where he went. I was not going to confront him.”

Despite there being many other shoppers in the area, Mr Thomas was the only one to dial 999.

Taxi driver Julian Taylor, 50, of Hook Norton, heard the car alarm.

He said: “The man, who I now know was a policeman, did look suspicious.

“He just got out and ran up the road. I thought he must have been in a hurry for the bank or something.

“Being a taxi driver, if you see something suspicious you do ring 999.”

After the incident, PC Phil Marstin, auto crime co-ordinator for west Oxfordshire, said: “I think it highlighted how easy it is for crimes to be committed It would seem that somebody who doesn’t look like a thief can easily get away without anybody challenging him.

“We are not saying everybody needs to be a hero. What we would like is for people to be aware and if they think something is suspicious, to call the police.”

“Operation Jugular” will continue with an exhibition in the Market Square, Woodstock, next Thursday.

From noon until 3pm, people can find out how to secure their own home and about personal crime prevention.