POLICE have launched a high-profile operation aimed at tackling burglary and car crime in Oxford.

Neighbourhood officers have been pedalling the streets of Headington, Barton and Wood Farm as part of a special high-visibility campaign.

Sgt Yak Teladia said the operation was designed to reassure members of the public about crime.

He said: "The best thing about push bikes is you can avoid traffic and people can stop and talk to you.

"When you drive past in a car people don't realise you're policing that area."

He said because the university term had started, the north east area neighbourhood team would be handing out crime prevention advice to students who had left their doors and windows unlocked. Sgt Teladia added: "If there was a window left open we identified it and stuck a crime prevention leaflet through it.

"Neighbourhood police teams should be out there anyway but we allocate specific weeks where everybody goes out collectively to get criminals in that area."