Police in north Oxfordshire are warning residents to be on their guard after a spate of thefts from gardens.

Over the past three months, there have been 49 thefts in the northern Oxfordshire police area, which includes Kidlington, Bicester, Banbury and Witney.

Items such as benches, lights, tools and plants have been stolen.

The figure compares with 22 thefts in the same period last year.

PC Bob Donohue, who works with the rural beat team in Deddington, near Banbury, said: "There is often an increase in robberies of this kind in the spring, so it is unusual for us to experience a higher level of incidents this winter."

"We are urging residents to be vigilant and take extra care to ensure that their garden property is safe and secure. "

Brenda and Barry Haller, owners of the Antiques Centre in Deddington Market Place, were victims of thieves earlier this month.

Trees worth around £2,000 were stolen from outside the centre.

Mrs Haller said: "Two bay trees and four box trees in containers were taken during the night of February 10. It must have been planned because it would have taken three or four people to lift the trees and a large vehicle to take them away in."

She added: "The bay trees were of sentimental value. I grew them for my daughter Claire's wedding and put them outside the church. I was going to give them to her for the Christening of her first child."