Police have found a novel way to stop burglars breaking into your home - writing them a letter.

In a case of the pen proving mighter than the judicial sword, Oxford police are sending the letters to the city's most prolific burglars telling them they know who they are.

The measures have helped cut break-ins by a quarter.

Det Chief Insp Andy Boyd, of Oxford CID, said letters are delivered by a police officer to known burglars as part of a "relentless" campaign to disrupt them.

Last week, insurers Endsleigh ranked homes in Oxford as fifth in a list of cities in the UK most likely to make a claim due to a burglary - ahead of Manchester and Glasgow.

The letters, signed by Supt Jim Trotman, the head of Oxford city police, tell burglars police believe they are committing crimes and offers them help to mend their ways.

They warn if they do not accept the offer of help they face being caught and jailed - and their families kicked out of their homes if they rent.

Mr Boyd added: "We will try to help people who wish to stop their offending and are prepared to support them in finding ways to overcome the reasons behind their behaviour.

"However, if they choose to continue committing burglaries then they need to understand that they will be relentlessly pursued through the wide range of enforcement options that are now available to the police and their partners.

"The letters are part of a process set up which has seen burglary falling."

If the burglars accept the offer of help, the police refer them to groups to tackle the causes of their crime, such as alcohol or drug addiction. Many burglars steal to fund chronic class A drug addiction.

British crime figures revealed last month showed burglaries in Oxford increased by five per cent between April 2006 and March 2007.

Since then, burglaries have fallen by 25 per cent - 62 break-ins - compared to the same period last year, said Mr Boyd.

Dc Ian Uttley, of the Oxford Burglary Team, added: "We will continue to be proactive against known criminals within the area.

"They need to look over their shoulder. Rather than wasting time waiting for us to come and find them, which we will do due to advances in DNA, they should come and see us first."

There are eight suspected burglars in custody, arrested since April 1, awaiting an appearance in court.

From May 28-June 4 this year there were 15 burglaries. During the same period in 2006 there were 34.

Norris Lewis, 78, of Blackbird Leys, was burgled by two men posing as police officers in February.

He said: "I think it will work. It could stop the opportunist guys."