I live at Barton, Oxford, and have seen joyriders on mopeds and in cars.

I know this goes on all over the place, but I have now lost faith completely in the police.

My husband called a police number from the directory and was promptly cut off when he refused to give his full name and address.

The operator also had no knowledge of the word 'aqua' which we used to describe the colour of the car.

He was not familiar with the phrase 'bluey green' either, which was a huge help. The risk of being targeted for informing is too great. I know people who have been on the receiving end of property damage when information on individuals has been made known.

Is it such a surprise that we wanted to remain anonymous?

Having made two more calls to Crimestoppers, we had some hope that we might see some sort of police presence, but alas nothing.

Do they disbelieve us, or is it just that our calls were not a priority.

I can assure them that I would not call them for a triviality. How lives have not been lost is beyond me.

I am grateful to the police for attending the scene of my burgled house and being sympathetic about my stolen car, but I have not bothered to report my smashed windscreen and paintwork damage.

Even when blood and fibres were found in my house, nothing happened.

In the meantime, I am sitting powerless and deflated, listening to the joyriders hurtling around.

They can look at me defiantly in the street.

They have the run of Barton.

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