Thieves from as far away as Coventry and Slough are visiting beauty spots in Oxfordshire to steal from cars, police have warned.

Famous local landmarks like the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall and the Rollright Stones are popular among criminals because they can depend on cars being left unattended in isolated car parks while the owners see the sights.

Police in west Oxfordshire have set a target of cutting car crime by 12 per cent by 2008, and to do this they plan to monitor isolated spots and ask the public not to leave belongings on display.

Crime reduction officer Bill Butcher said: "We're highlighting the beauty spots because when people leave their vehicles there, a criminal knows they're going to be away for at least half an hour, probably longer.

"People put things in the boot of their car when they park, not realising somebody may be watching them do it - so we're saying put it in the boot at the start of your journey, not when you arrive."

Police believe CCTV and extra policing in Witney's car parks have forced thieves to turn their attention to rural locations.

Insp Darren Carver said: "It's not just laptops, it's coats, bags, even small change. It's a particular problem at beauty spots.

"We've found people travelling from Slough, Coventry, Gloucestershire - we can map them from the start of their journey and they'll travel in a 70 mile radius."

Since the beginning of March, traffic wardens around the country have been reporting in when they spot a car with valuables on display.

Using details held by the DVLA, the owner is then sent a letter telling them their belongings were at risk and asking them to take more care in future.

The scheme is being run around the country by the Home Office.