POLICE have called at 1,700 homes in Barton, Oxford, in a bid to increase the amount of information they are receiving about crime from residents.

They believe people are scared to come forward for fear of reprisals.

Yesterday, officers delivered letters to each home and spoke to residents about how they could tip them off anonymously.

It comes in the wake of a spate of vehicle crimes in the area about which officers had virtually no information from residents.

John Grant, 68, lives in Malford Road with his disabled wife.

He said: “My wife has had strokes and heart attacks after people have thrown bricks through our windows.

“The problem is that people around here are scared of the local criminals, they know they’ll have their windows smashed if they talk to police. I’m glad the police are trying to do something, but honestly I don’t think it will have much of an effect.”

To contact police in confidence, email bartonnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.