Police across Oxfordshire have unveiled their initiatives for tackling car crime as part of the force's new Just a Minute campaign, writes Emma Henry.

Wardens patrolling car parks taking note of unsafe cars, encouraging second-hand dealers to fit cheap immobilisers to older used cars and blitzing Neighbourhood Watch schemes with campaign leaflets are just some of the ways officers hope to raise awareness of how they can help keep their cars safe.

Police in the south of the county plan to ask local workers to patrol car parks and take notes of cars with possessions on display inside. They will then send owners a letter warning them their car was at risk of crime. Different car parks will be targeted each month.

Officers are also planning a joint campaign with British Transport Police to reduce the levels of car crime in railway station car parks.

Sgt Matt Coburn, of Abingdon, said: "As far as possible, we will be using local resources." Officers in the northern Oxfordshire area are working with traders and dealers to secure discounts on immobilisers and have them fitted on second-hand cars before they are sold. They are also working to encourage users of company vans to consider fitting vehicle safes and alarms.

Insp Simon Eatwell, who is based at Banbury, said: "Early indications are it has taken off particularly well."

In Oxford, police have liaised with public information services across the city to ensure the Just a Minute leaflets are prominently on display.

Operation Breadline, an initiative targeting known prolific car thieves in the city, netted 13 arrests in August, and officers are also working closely with the city council to encourage vigilance in public car parks. Police have also been talking to car dealers to try to find ways of halting the problem of alloy wheel thefts.

An Oxford police spokesman said: "We are going to do everything possible to encourage the public to play their part in this campaign."

More than 10,000 Just a Minute leaflets are also to be given out to Neighbourhood Watch scheme leaders across Oxford.