POLICE have commended the actions of a mother-of-five who chased after a man who tried to steal Christmas presents.

On Monday, December 15, at about 12.40pm, Kim Trinder said she spotted the man climbing over her neighbour’s garden wall in Lockheart Crescent, Cowley.

The 50-year-old said: “I rang my neighbour to ask him if he was expecting anyone and if that man should be there.

“I asked him what to do and he shouted at me to phone the police. But then the burglar left with a great big cardboard box and a carrier bag and I just grabbed my coat and ran after him.”

Our top stories

Miss Trinder said she chased him up the length of Lockheart Crescent before he threw the boxes at her.

She said: “They didn’t hit me or anything; I think he just didn’t want me to get any closer.

“It was the box that was slowing him down.”

The man was described by police as white, 6ft and slim with a shaven head.

Police said they were investigating the burglary but had not made any arrests yet.

Spokeswoman Rhianne Pope said: “We commend the witness in this case for her bravery in chasing after the burglar but do not recommend people put their own safety at risk in this way.

“In an emergency, always dial 999.”

The force also advises that people do not leave Christmas presents out and close curtains or blinds while not at home.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.