Car crime has almost halved in Oxford during the past five years.

There were 3,009 car thefts and break-ins in the year to April 1, compared with 5,792 during 1998-99 -- a reduction of 48 per cent.

Vehicles stolen in the city have been cut by a fifth in the last year, with 795 cars taken compared to 994 during 2001-2002.

Supt Keith Ringsell, of Oxford police, said the city's image as a car crime hotspot had been reversed.

A decade ago Oxford became infamous for joyriding and "displaying" -- youths performing dangerous manoeuvres such as handbrake-turns and 360-degree spins.

"Oxford was seen as almost the car crime capital of Europe, and we have seen a remarkable change-around in the number of cars stolen, broken into and, importantly, the numbers displayed," he said.

He said Oxford police had led the way in speaking to manufacturers about how cars were being broken into, which led to design changes.

He said as cars became more difficult to steal, thieves were breaking into homes to take the ignition keys. Motorists needed to be careful where they left keys.

Oxford's autocrime unit, based at St Aldate's police station, was created in January 2001 in response to a rise in car crime. In the year to April 1, 2002, Oxford had the third best record for solving car crimes in England and Wales, and the team won the Shrievalty Merit Award for bringing the Thames Valley force credit.

It pioneered offenders being put forward for drug treatment and testing orders, as an alternative to jail, to break the cycle of crime to buy drugs.

CCTV cameras installed at Oxford's Thornhill park-and-ride following a spate of vandalism attacks against cars have been hailed as a success.

David Robertson, Oxfordshire County Council executive member for transport, said: "Initial results are very, very encouraging."