Banbury's special constables have been praised for halting a crime wave at the town's super- markets.

The specials were called into action after a spate of thefts from shoppers' cars.

Following a series of high visibility patrols, the number of thefts from supermarket car parks has plummeted from as many as six a week to zero. Pc Tony Maule, Thames Valley Police's area autocrime co-ordinator, said: "It was mainly during early evenings on Thursdays and Fridays. Criminals were travelling into Banbury and spending a few profitable hours here. The thieves were atttracted to cars driven by business people which they rightly thought would contain laptop computers, mobile phones, briefcases, or other valuable property."

He added: "Sometimes they stole items left on back seats, but it was also clear that the thieves watched out for drivers putting valuables into the boot before going shopping."

He said: "The answer was highly visible policing at key times -- and that was where the specials came in. For the last month there have not been any reports of thefts from vehicles outside Banbury's supermarkets."

Tariq Mahmood, the specials' area officer, said: "We organised patrols at key times to deter these criminals. We also passed on friendly advice to drivers who left valuables on display."

Police aim to double the town's 10-strong force of specials over the next 12 months.