POLICE are hoping to wish some of Oxfordshire’s shady suspects a very “Merry Christmas” this year... face to face in the police station.

The Oxford Mail is today unveiling its first ever Badvent Calendar featuring mugshots of people officers believe have been far from good this year.

Wanted criminals will be dreading the next 24 days when we peel back another door to see whose face is lurking behind – and it certainly won’t be Mary or Joseph staring back at them.

Officers said rounding them up before Santa arrives would be the best Christmas present they could wish for.

Det Ch Insp Colin Paine, head of priority crime in Oxford, said: “We have tried a range of options to find these people, but are now calling on the public to assist in locating them all.

“Some of these offences aren’t crimes of the century, but it is only right that the suspected offenders should be brought to justice and held to account for what they have done.

“A number of these offences are serious – and there are victims at the end of each one.

“It is a dreadful thing to be a victim of crime, especially at Christmas. I am hoping that with the help of the public we can prevent these offenders committing any further offences.

“It would be a perfect Christmas present for Thames Valley Police to see all 24 brought to justice.

“I would appeal to the offenders to hand themselves in before we come knocking on their doors at four in the morning.”

Boris Venon, who features in the first day, certainly does not understand the spirit of the festive season.

The 26-year-old was arrested on March 11 following 20 thefts from the Lava & Ignite nightclub in Park End Street, Oxford.

Police said he specifically targets student nights at the club, stealing purses, wallets, cameras, mobile phones and any other valuables he can get his hands on.

His last known address is Walton Street, Oxford, and he is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall with brown eyes and short black curly hair.

He has a French accent and also has several aliases, including Salim Telmat, Salim Telmit, Haxiol Mathroubi, Hamid Mathroubi and Salim, Telmat Mohammed.

Dc Darren Little said: “Venon is known to have contacts in the Blackbird Leys area of Oxford and I would ask anyone who may have seen him to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible.

“The night he was arrested, Venon is suspected to have carried out 20 offences of theft, demonstrating that he is a prolific offender.”

  • Anyone with information about Boris Venon should call Dc Darren Little on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.