THERE has been a significant drop in joyriding and car thefts across Oxford, say police.

The number of vehicles stolen has fallen by 11 per cent in the past year, while thefts from vehicles dropped by 14 per cent.

Police believe the drop in car crime in Oxford over the past year is down to them targeting prolific offenders.

Since last summer, a 25-year-old man from Marston has been jailed for stealing 14 cars and a 27-year-old man was imprisoned after breaking into 30 cars in Headington and Wood Farm.

Sgt Nik Garside, of Oxford police's auto crime unit, said: "A majority of offences are committed by prolific offenders.

"The people who break into cars need to feed drug habits and will steal anything for easy money, while the theft of a car is often done for the thrill of it."

Between April 1 last year and March 20 this year, 519 cars were stolen in Oxford. During the previous 12 months, 583 cars were stolen.

In the same period, the number of thefts from vehicles fell from 1,328 to 1,137.

The Thames Valley Police helicopter, based at RAF Benson, has been called out 66 times in the past year and helped in 16 arrests for car crime.

Sgt Garside said: "Stealing cars is highly dangerous. We saw one case of someone who was drunk who crashed a car into an innocent member of the public. It's not joyriding, it's misery."

In the past year, police have been working with Oxford City Council's Canact team to tackle prolific offenders.

Officers have also advised taxi drivers to make surethey do not leave cash and satellite-navigation equipment in cabs.

They also plan to give drivers dusters to remove marks where sat-navs have been attached to the windscreen.

Witnesses to car crime should call the police on 08458 505505.