Signs warning motorists to be vigilant are to be put in car crime hotspots across Oxford.

The initiative comes as figures released by Thames Valley Police show that the amount of car crime has already been reduced this year.

Compared to crime figures for last year, the number of thefts of vehicles has fallen by 18.5 per cent, while the number of thefts from vehicles is down by 8.2 per cent.

But police want to reduce car crime even further, so they have been visiting crime hot spots in the city to install the signs which remind drivers they need to lock up their cars and remove valuables.

Nick Gilbert, Crime Reduction Advisor, said: "It's all too easy for us to forget to lock the car or not think to take valuables such as laptops or phones out when we leave, particularly when we are in a rush.

"However, this is just what opportunist car criminals are looking for and it takes just seconds to steal from your car.

"Across nearly every area of the city we have had a fall in theft of and theft from vehicles, however, there are worrying hotspots, Headington in particular.

"We need people to remain vigilant.

"These signs have been erected to remind people that they may be in an area where car criminals operate and to take extra care.

"However, the simple rules about using security measures such as steering locks and alarms as well as removing valuables should be applied wherever you leave your car, even on your drive at home."

Anyone with information about car criminals should call the police on 0845 8 505 505, or leave an anonymous message on the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.