Oxfordshire residents have been advised to take simple precautions to avoid being victims of crime over Christmas.

The Home Office crime reduction director for the South East, Hugh Marriage, said it was a time when thieves were on the look-out for new goods in boxes which were easy to seize from homes and cars.

He said: "Don't leave gifts on view. If a thief sees them through the window, he will smash his way in, causing damage as well as taking your belongings."