The police officers of yesteryear would be astonished at the high-tech paraphenalia their modern-day colleagues have at their disposal.

Yet, it is often the old-fashioned ideas that come up trumps.

We reported last week how Thames Valley Police, in a campaign against burglars, had decided to visit the scene of almost every crime, just as their predecessors did in the old days.

Now comes news that members of the east Oxford beat team have won the Shrievalty Merit award for outstanding service.

Their success has been achieved by abandoning their cars and getting out in the community, on bikes and on foot.

These are hardly revolutionary ideas, but clearly basic policing methods still have their place.

Criminals who see police patrolling the streets are less likely to take chances.

The result has been a significant drop in drug dealing, burglary and car crime in the area.

Chief Constable Peter Neyroud and his senior officers should consider adopting this type of policing elsewhere.

Meanwhile, our congratulations to the east Oxford beat team on a job well done.