Victims of crime will soon be able to report theft and criminal damage by text or email.

Thames Valley Police plans to introduce ‘e-reporting’ by February to give people living in Oxfordshire more choice to report minor crimes and non-urgent matters.

Last night, community leaders welcomed the new scheme.

Chief Supt Liam Macdougall, head of Thames Valley Police control room, based in Kidlington, said: "We want to open up new channels of communication.

"We have got a generation of people who have grown up with computers and mobile phones. Older people, too, are spending more time online.

"We are tapping into what are already established methods of communication.

"It's not intended to replace what we are doing — it's about giving people choice.

"It's designed for reporting minor criminal damage or theft of cash, for example — the kind of crime that would not require the police responding and attending immediately."

He added: "I can't guarantee people won't abuse it. In the same way, I can't guarantee people don't abuse the phones.

"There's every possibility we may get those kinds of text messages, but I think they will be in the minority."

Sue Holden, secretary of Barton Community Association, in Oxford, said: "Once you have sent a text or email, you are not sat on the phone waiting."

The service marks another public authority using technology as a means of communicating with the public.

And generally, the idea has been well received.

Blackbird Leys city councillor Val Smith, the wife of Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, added: "One of my windows got hit by an airgun the other day and I needed a crime number to claim insurance.

"Frankly I would have been quite happy to use email or text. It would have saved a lot of time."

Police have launched a public consultation on the scheme.

Thames Valley Police Authority chairman Christine Weston said: "Offering people the ability to contact the force using new technology is a tool we should be looking to introduce.

"It's equally important we ensure the service we offer is feasible, affordable and matches what people want."