Police and council staff in Oxford have joined forces to clear abandoned vehicles from residential streets, in a bid to stop arsonists setting them alight.

The three-day campaign took place earlier this week in response to a number of car fires in Barton and Headington.

Last week, the Oxford Mail reported that abandoned cars were being targeted by arsonists, with 14 vehicles in Marston Ferry Road being burnt out in nine days.

In the joint operation, city council staff and Thames Valley Police removed 17 cars from Barton and Headington on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Four more cars were removed yesterday.

During the campaign, the owners of three dangerous cars parked on private land were given 15-day notices to remove the vehicles or face fines.

Three cars were issued with 24-hour notices and were removed on Wednesday, 25 June, while three others were removed by their owners.

Two dangerous cars, with smashed windows and missing fuel caps, were also removed immediately.

Seven cars displaying fraudulent tax discs were reported to the DVLA. Three were removed by their owners and four by the council.

The city council's executive member for crime, Susan Brown, said: "The Government has given the police and local councils fast-track powers to deal with abandoned cars and it is important that we respond to public concern."

Insp Oliver Wright said: "This was another good example of what can be achieved when the police and the city council work together."

Anyone with information about the recent spate of arson attacks, should call police on 01865 266333.