Commuters were offered crime fighting advice from the police using the social network Twitter.

As the nights draw in Oxford police are warning workers who leave home early and return in the dark that their properties are easy prey for burglars.

Officers have been handing out cards printed with the force’s twitter address at Oxford train station and speaking to people as they travel to and from work.

Pcso Zoe Jenkins said: “We handed out a lot of cards.

“A lot of people we gave them to were surprised to know we have a Twitter account and said they were going to have a look at it.”

Police officers will also visit businesses in Oxford to spread the message to workers in the city centre about securing their homes against burglars, starting with the suggestion of fitting timer lights to create the illusion that someone is at home.

Patrols will also be carried out in areas affected by burglaries and homes with police officers putting postcards with further advice through doors of homes.

To get updates on the operation follow @tvp_oxford