It's OK folks: you can now leave your doors unlocked all night, as Thames Valley Police have implemented a great new crime breaking initiative in Didcot and surrounding areas.

The powers that be have tried using detectives, riot police, ordinary coppers, PCSOs and even lollipop ladies with CCTV cameras glued to their hats to try and reduce crime – all to no avail.

But we now appear to have a new master plan to solve the problem – little blue fold-up signs.

These are popping up all over the place, like mushrooms on a damp autumn morning. And, as well as the TVP logo, they carry really scary messages.

Our local filling station has got around 50 CCTV cameras to deter thieves. But apparently what was needed to augment this security system was a little blue sign, (chained up to stop it being pinched) with the words ‘anti theft operation in progress’ printed on it.

The robbers must quake in their boots when they spot this signage, and make a quick getaway before they are apprehended.

Another such sign situated by Marsh Bridge has ‘anti graffiti operation in progress’ emblazoned on it. And I can just picture the little apprentice Andy Warhols dropping their cans of paint and swiftly decamping back home when they spot this sign.

Another, situated on a grass verge, says ‘antisocial use of vehicle enforcement in operation’.

Despite having a fair knowledge of my mother tongue, I had to think for a while what this meant and came to the conclusion that it was probably aimed at young drivers with 500 decibel sound systems in their vehicles who charge around town in what I can only assume is a 21st century mating ritual, trying to impress some spotty faced adolescent girls.

Most of these idiots drive too fast to spot these signs, and even if they did they probably can’t read anyway.

Does anyone with a modicum of intelligence really think that it will make them drive at a proper speed? Or are they yet another waste of time and money?

TONY ANCHORS, Drake Road, Didcot