Householders in Oxford are the safest they have been from burglars for nearly 20 years, figures released today revealed.

According to statistics released by Thames Valley Police, there were 490 fewer domestic burglaries in the city over the past 12 months than the previous year.

That was a 38.5 per cent drop - from 1,272 to 782, the same level as in 1989.

Supt Brendan O'Dowda, Oxford's top police officer, said: "We are relentless and robust in how we target persistent offenders - we use everything in our power to catch them."

He said offenders arrested for burglary were routinely drug tested, because feeding addictions was the root cause of stealing.

"Those people who want to change their lifestyle and get off drugs, we will do as much as we can to get them into treatment quickly," he said.

"If they don't, we relentlessly pursue them."

Other tactics included sending them Christmas and Halloween cards, reminding them to stay out of trouble.

Vehicle crime has dropped over the past 12 months, with 132 fewer offences committed than the year before.

Criminal damage fell by 8.7 per cent, along with bicycle theft, which was down 14.1 per cent.

Supt O'Dowda said this was due to improved neighbourhood policing and the ability to quickly pick up on criminal trends, like a spate of trouble in a particular street.

Overall, last year crime in Oxford was down 9.7 per cent on 2006/07 and 17.5 per cent on 2003/04. A total of 10,477 crimes were committed.

Oxford also boasted a 30 per cent detection rate for recorded crimes, the third highest of the 16 policing zones in the Thames Valley.

The news was welcomed by Oxford Victim Support, whose chief executive Joanna Fenstermacher said: "If you are burgled, it can be quite devastating."

But she added: "Month-on-month the number of common assaults have increased.

"It's very worrying, but I think it's an issue for all of society to address, not just the police."