Two teenagers have been caught with hundreds of pounds worth of suspected stolen lead stuffed inside wheelie bins.

Police are today asking residents in Littlemore, in Oxford, and Sandford-on-Thames to check their homes and roofs for missing lead.

Officers were called to Heyford Hill Road at around 11pm on Monday and found two teens spotted running along the road with two green wheelie bins.

Both were stuffed to the brim with lead flashings which are believed to have been stolen from the local area.

Another man was arrested in the neighbourhood as well. All were arrested on suspicion of theft and released on bail.

Dc Georgina Bradley, investigating the incident, said: "We need to establish where exactly the lead has come from and I am asking residents to check their properties.

"It is possible that it has been stolen in the area of Heyford Hill Road or one of the adjoining roads.

"The wheelie bins were stolen from a gated area at a property in Mandlebrotes Road in Littlemore and so the lead could also have been stolen close to here."

Crime Reduction Adviser Roger Foster said: "We do not want these thieves to think that they can steal metal from properties and get away with it.

"If any members of the public see people in suspicious or unusual circumstances carrying out work on roof tops then they could be interfering with lead. Please contact Thames Valley Police and report what you have seen."

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Mr Foster has issued the following advice to residents:

Ensure all external lighting is in good working order

Lock all tools and ladders out of sight

Ensure any external refuse bins are secured away from the walls and roofs

Check security systems such as intruder alarms & CCTV systems are in good working order

Lock and secure all perimeter fencing and gates.