Two traffic officers patrolling Oxford in a crackdown on robberies arrested 21 suspects in six days.

Pc Mark Pilling and Pc Pete Lomas have been praised by senior officers for making the arrests during night patrols in crime troublespots.

The officers, based at Abingdon, are among 12 traffic officers seconded to Oxford for November and December to take part in Operation Robbery to fight street crime.

Six other arrests were made by other officers during the six days, from Monday, November 4, to Saturday, November 9.

Street crime has been cut by seven per cent in the Thames Valley area since Operation Robbery began in April.

But it has continued to rise in Oxford, which prompted the decision to call in mounted police and traffic officers.

Acting Insp Ed Allington said: "It's a particularly high number of arrests. It's certainly more than I have known in six days by two officers.

"The number of arrests indicates there has been a problem. That's why the team is in Oxford."

He said officers received intelligence about troublespots and targeted repeat offenders.

Suspects have been arrested for a number of offences, including robbery, breach of bail, driving offences, theft, going equipped to steal and entering the country illegally.

Traffic officers from Abingdon and Bicester were recognised for their contribution in bringing robbery under control in Thames Valley at an awards ceremony at Drayton Park Golf Club, near Abingdon, on Thursday.

They included Bicester-based officers Insp David Hartin, Pc Patrick Knight, Pc Carl Lewis and Pc John Hawes, and Abingdon traffic officers Pc Pilling and Pc Steven Ilott.

They were seconded to support police in Reading, which had the worst robbery increase, before switching their attention to Oxford.

Insp Hartin said: "It goes to show what can be achieved by a totally professional, dedicated and committed group."

Officers were congratulated by Chief Constable Peter Neyroud, who also gave Assistant Chief Constable Sara Thornton, head of Operation Robbery, a special award.