Residents and businesses are being urged to be extra vigilant, following a wave of crime and vandalism resulting in thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Homes, shops and other businesses in the Wallingford area were hit over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Late on Bank Holiday Monday, vandals smashed shop windows in Wallingford's St Mary's Street, including Sportswize, Pettits department store, Rides On Air cycle shop, Dragon Tattoos and an estate agency.

Sportswize managing director Tony Wheeler said: "Our corner window of toughened glass was broken and whoever did it has got serious lacerations to his leg. There was a lot of blood about.

"It's all so pointless."

Officers are now examining CCTV images.

In surrounding villages, two people were arrested after thefts from sheds, garages and outbuildings.

There were six incidents in Berinsfield, three in Dorchester and two in Brightwell Baldwin.

One of those arrested, a 14-year-old Berinsfield youth, has been charged with theft.

Thousands of pounds' worth of maintenance equipment was also stolen from The Springs Hotel at North Stoke.

The theft was the second in two months.

A 51-year-old man from Rose Hill in Oxford has been arrested in connection with the latest incident.

Anyone with information on the incidents should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.