AN OPERATION cracking down on thieves in west Oxfordshire has cut burglaries, robberies and car crime by almost a third.

Operation Jugular was launched by Thames Valley Police in July following an increase in burglaries, robberies and vehicle crimes.

During the operation, between July and November, the number of these reported crimes dropped to 175, from 229 during the same period the previous year.

Det Sgt Craig Kirby said: “We are extremely pleased with the results of this operation which has involved many officers working hard to raise crime reduction awareness around burglary and theft in local communities.

“We’ve also been focusing on the importance of information we receive from residents in rural areas who are more alert to strangers in their villages. We continue to ask them to report suspicious incidents and people to us.”

Part of the officers’ work in preventing victims being repeatedly targeted is to give anyone who has been burgled a special kit which can be used to security mark any valuables and register them on a secure database. If the items are stolen and the police recover them, they can find the owner’s details by searching the database.

Since April, 80 packs, which include warning stickers to display on windows, have been given to burglary victims. They are also on sale for £15 from police.

Det Sgt Kirby added: “One of the difficulties is when we make arrests we often uncover property we expect to be stolen, but if we cannot prove this we have to return it, which is quite frustrating and reduces our opportunity to convict offenders.”

Bill Butcher, strategic crime prevention and reduction specialist for west Oxfordshire, said: “Unfortunately, we are still seeing thefts from vehicles where the driver has left valuable items on display.

“With Christmas coming we are reminding people once again not to leave bags of shopping or any items in view.

“Police community support officers and the district council’s parking wardens regularly note down the details of vehicles where property has been left on show.

“These details are then passed on to me and I write to the vehicle’s owner advising them about what has happened and include a crime reduction booklet.”

He added: “Operation Jugular is as much about making people aware of what they can do to reduce crime, such as marking property. It’s about doing things for themselves.”