Four new Minis were stolen from the BMW car plant during a massive power cut in Oxford.

The Minis, each worth £10,000, were taken from the plant at about 7pm on Sunday, (13 October) shortly after 45,000 homes across south Oxfordshire were plunged into darkness.

Southern Electric has confirmed that vandals are believed to have caused an explosion at the Cowley sub-station at about 6.25pm, cutting off electricity supplies as far south as Wallingford.

A spokesman for Oxford police said officers were keeping an open mind as to whether the theft and power cut were linked.

The cars were driven through gate eight, near the Roman Way Social Club.

Southern Electric spokesman Julian Reeves said: "We think some vandals were involved. We are working with police to find out who may have been involved in that.

"This has caused thousands of pounds damage at the station and distressed customers. It is vandalism, but the purpose of the vandalism is a matter for police to consider. Our responsibility is for the safety of electricity supplies in the area."

Security has since been stepped up at the sub-station. BMW has confirmed it has taken similar steps to improve security on their site following the thefts.

Three of the stolen Minis have already been recovered.

BMW corporate communications manager Angela Stangroom said: "We are obviously looking to recover the final car. Investigations are on-going and we are hopeful."

A police spokesman said one of the recovered cars was found on the site, another was recovered from Greater Leys and the third was outside a house in Grenoble Road, Blackbird Leys. No arrests have been made.

The spokesman said: "We are not linking the explosion and the thefts at this stage, but we are investigating."