A CRACKDOWN on antisocial behaviour in Oxfordshire is being extended after the scheme produced a cut in nuisance crimes.

Police launched Operation Confidence in October last year to tackle trouble linked to Bonfire Night and Halloween. It was due to end in December, but Thames Valley Police has been given a £143,000 Government grant to extend the campaign.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Rowell said: “While we’re encouraged by the overall success of Operation Confidence, there’s no room for complacency. Most of the statistics are encouraging, but we have an increase in the number of street drinking incidents and minor arson has also risen.”

Rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour went down by more than 25 per cent across Oxfordshire during the first month of the operation, compared with the same period in 2008. Criminal damage to buildings, such as homes and schools, fell by 15 per cent.