POLICE have stepped up their efforts to thwart burglars in Oxfordshire, as figures showed a rise in break-ins for the first time in four years.

And the force, which is launching a “pre-emptive strike” in a bid to curb the trend, fears the rise will steepen as the economic slump deepens.

There were 1,832 break-ins across the county between April 2008 and March 2009, a year-on-year increase of almost six per cent, and the first time there has been a rise for four years.

Oxford, where a year ago the burglary rate was the lowest for 20 years, has been the worst-hit area of the county with a rise of 118 break-ins from 781 in 2008/09 to 899 2007/08 – a rise of 15 per cent.

Homes in North and East Oxford have been targeted in recent weeks.

Yesterday, officers pat-rolled burglary hotspots, visited victims and left warning letters at homes where windows had been left open.

Det Sgt Marc Tarbit said: “Ninety per cent of our burglars are people funding their drug habit rather than people who have just been put out of work.

“I don’t think we can link this rise specifically to the recession at the moment.

“But it is predicted there will be an increase because of the recession and we must make sure we are being vigilant. This is almost a pre-emptive strike.”

Iffley Road and Cowley Road have suffered the most burglaries, with 24 each over the past 12 months.

Divinity Road in East Oxford has been the venue for 18 break-ins, followed by Woodstock Road with 15, John Garne Way in Headington with 13 and Hurst Street in East Oxford with 12.

Last night, officers said they had found 30 insecure properties in East Oxford – 15 of them in Divinity Road.

Burglaries in the Vale of White Horse increased by 47 and west Oxfordshire recorded a rise of 11.

But break-ins in Cherwell and south Oxfordshire fell by 45 and 33 respectively.

Det Chief Insp Paul Gration, who led yesterday’s action day, said: “The number of burglaries across the county is still low compared to much of the country, despite a small rise over the past year.”

Police also spoke to shoppers at Tesco in Banbury, passing on advice about home security, and a crime reduction van and officers sent to Market Place in Abingdon.

Residents in Witney were given information packs and officers held a display at Didcot railway station.