A 'thief' used a hammer to break into a car outside a village church near Witney, police have said.

The suspect is claimed to have smashed the window of the vehicle in the car park of Standlake Church.

They made off with “numerous items” in the break-in on January 23 at 3.15pm, Thames Valley Police said.

READ MORE: Lorry smash-up on M40 leaves Toyota driver injured

Oxford Mail: The car break-in happened outside Standlake Church, police saidThe car break-in happened outside Standlake Church, police said (Image: Google Maps)

The force said the suspect arrived in an unknown black car at the car park in in Church End in Standlake.

Police community support officer (PCSO) Nick Morley of Witney Police Station appealed for witnesses or CCTV footage of the incident.

“If you witnessed this incident or CCTV that covers this incident please let us know as currently we are looking into this report and attempting to trace the suspect vehicle,” he said.

The reference number for the incident is 43240035958.