A TECH-MINDED thief stole £13,903 worth of computer parts after dropping through a skylight at an Oxford factory in November 1979.

Police said they were working on the theory that the burglar was either an electronics or computer expert.

The thief climbed in through the skylight at Telsee Ltd in Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, before tripping down four of the then considerably-sized computers and fleeing with the parts and a number of spares.

Det Sgt Michael Rusher, of Cowley CID said: "It is a very unusual type of crime.

"I have never come across anything like it before.

"We would presume he has a market for this stuff either for himself or for someone else."

A raid took place overnight on a Sunday and was discovered by staff the following morning.