JOYRIDERS stole three cars and left them burned out in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Two Vauxhall Corsas were left in the Northfield Brook at Spindlebury Nature Park, and a blue Renault Laguna was dumped and set alight in Brake HIll, Greater Leys.

Firefighters were called to the nature park at 5.52am to tackle the two car fires.

Police said the Renault had been stolen from Cherwell Road, Berinsfield, some time after 4am, while a blue Vauxhall Corsa had been parked in Hurst Road, Oxford, and was last been seen by the owner at 4pm on Friday.

Police are still trying to track the owners of the third car – a red Corsa which had its number plates removed.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gerry Webb said: “This wasn’t uncommon at one time, years and years ago, but we’ve only had one or two in the last couple of years.

“I wouldn’t want to think this sort of thing is going to start up again up round here. It’s taken quite a long time to get Blackbird Leys cleaned up and get rid of the stigma of its name, and it really is a beautiful place to be. We don’t want to see something like this rearing its head again.”

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.