DETECTIVES believe a spate of burglaries in which thieves stole thousands of pounds worth of possessions are being carried out by at least two men.

Police patrols have been stepped up in North Oxford neighbourhoods due to more than 15 break-ins in the past month.

Items stolen from ransacked homes in Summertown, Wolvercote and along the Banbury and Woodstock Roads included Xbox's, PS4’s, other electrical items and £10,000 worth of jewellery, shoes and handbags.

Detective Sergeant James Senior told the Oxford Mail the force were linking the burglaries, adding the nature and pattern of the raids had led the police to believe two men were at the helm.

Det Sgt Senior said: “We believe there is to be at least two offenders working together due to the value of items being stolen. They are using a vehicle and generally smashing rear windows and rear doors.

“They are then conducting messy searches inside and targeting jewellery and cash.

“It’s unusual for us to see such a big increase. Unfortunately, each of the burglaries has not been witnessed by anybody.”

Four men had been arrested, but were bailed due to a lack of evidence.

Det Sgt Senior said historically the crimes had been committed by out of town burglars, but added it was ‘difficult to say’ the cause of the current spate.

He said the public should call the police immediately if they spotted anything or anyone acting suspicious in the area.

Families going away over the festive period and the property types have been mooted as reasons for the spate of break-ins.

One of the streets targeted by burglars is Davenant Road. Between 3.30pm and 6.30pm on December 29 a home was burgled and electrical items including an Xbox, PS4 and Apple TV internet box were taken.

Another in Woodstock Road was ransacked before more than £10,000-worth of jewellery, shoes and handbags were stolen.

Other streets in which valuables have been stolen include Hamilton Road, Home Close, Meadow Prospect, Woodstock Close and Kingston Road.

Matthew Broadway, of Davenant Road, said he suspected the majority of homes targeted would be the older properties. The 42-year-old businessman installed cameras on his house as a security measure. He added: “There has definitely been an increase.

“The police have been very good. There is a lot of visibility from the police.”

Chris Dalley, who is a committee member of the Davenant Road Neighbourhood Watch and a resident for 38 years, said the last time the area was affected by a spate this bad was when the M40 had just opened.

He added: “There is a lot of building work in the area and vans parked, which makes it not easy to know what is coming and going.

“It’s important to tell each other if you’re going to be away. The households have to be on guard.

“It’s just the feeling of being imposed upon, violated, in a way. It’s sad.”

Police neighbourhood sergeant for North Oxford David Keith said officers would be conducting daily patrols in the area.