We don't hesitate to criticise our police when we feel it is justified.

Equally, we are happy to praise them when things go well.

One of those occasions is today as we report a significant reduction in the number of burglaries in Oxfordshire.

All districts have shown a fall, with the biggest reductions of more than a third in the Vale of White Horse and Oxford.

Burglary has been one of the crimes Thames Valley Police have been targeting, and the work officers are doing against prolific offenders is clearly paying off.

All criminals are despicable, but burglars are a particularly nasty bunch. To come home to find your 'castle' defiled by intruders is something no-one wishes to experience.

We hope the police will continue to put the frighteners on this type of criminal.

They, however, can only do so much. It is vital that we all play our part by making our homes as secure as possible, and not ask for trouble.

This is particularly true at this time of the year as families prepare for Christmas and stack their homes with presents.

Burglars won't miss an opportunity to share our Christmas spirit if we slacken our guard and give them an open invitation to raid our homes.