Undercover police have laun- ched a crackdown on drunken vandalism in Didcot and Wallingford.

Plain clothes officers targeted known hotspots in both town centres in 'Operation Manoeuvre' over the past two weeks. Police say they will continue with similar operations as part of an ongoing campaign.

The intelligence-led operation was launched in response to increasing numbers of cases of criminal damage in both town centres, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.

CCTV surveillance and increased patrols by uniformed officers, funded by the South Oxfordshire crime and disorder reduction partnership, were also used as part of the crackdown.

During the operation two men were arrested in Didcot for suspected drugs offences and a third was arrested on suspicion of assault. All three were bailed pending further inquiries.

Officers also approached more than 50 young people and warned them criminal damage would not be tolerated.

Crime reduction officer Mark Bradfield, based at Didcot Police Station, co-ordinated the operation.

He said criminal damage, including damage to shop windows, car windscreens, fencing and walls, had been on the increase.

He said: "The impact of criminal damage, as well as affecting the property owner, can affect the whole community and raise the fear of crime. It also costs people, the local councils and businesses thousands of pounds a year."

Mr Bradfield added: "Those caught causing damage face an £80 fine for minor offences and will be arrested in more serious cases.

"We will continue to keep the pressure on those causing damage and will use all our powers including acceptable behaviour contracts and Asbos for those who continue to offend."

Mr Bradfield said using officers in plain clothes allowed police to get closer to suspected vandals, observe behaviour and make arrests.

He added: "This is a useful tactic as it disrupts the behaviour of potential offenders as they are not used to the police being able to get in among them without being noticed.

"Uniformed patrols are an effective deterrent to crime but a greater effect can be achieved by supplementing these patrols with less conventional policing methods."

Caroline White, who owns Print Express in Broadway, Didcot, welcomed the operation. She said: "Any extra work the police can do is a great help. They should keep going with it."

Mrs White, whose shop windows were smashed on several occasions, launched a petition against vandalism more than two years ago. She said the new CCTV system had also helped.