THIEVES have emptied a neighbourhood’s roadside salt container in what police have branded a “mindless” crime.

The salt was taken from the side of the road in Farmers Close on Tuesday morning as temperatures plummeted.

Police yesterday said someone spotted the culprits putting the salt into recycling containers before driving away.

Spokesman Chris Kearney said: “This is a mindless theft at a time when people are going to be needing salt.”

Rodney Rose, Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport, said the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers had been compromised. He added: “The salt bins are placed where they are due to a local need because there is a junction on an incline for example.

“To pinch it for your own private use is not only theft, but also robbing that area of something it needs in winter conditions.

“Bearing in mind most people can go and buy a bag of dishwasher salt, I think it is despicable.”

Ieva Baltgalve, 22, lives close to the salt container and said the theft was terrible considering the icy conditions.

She said: “When I go to work I am scared to go down the hill in case I fall.

“We really need the salt.”

Lynn Thompson, 52, of Farmers Close, said: “I think it is likely to be dangerous if they have completely emptied the container.”

She said the estate was on the top of a hill and some of the slopes could be dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.

The county council was not able to confirm how much salt had been stolen.

Another bin at Minster Lovell, near Witney, is also thought to have been cleaned out by ‘thieves’.

The Farmers Close container was refilled yesterday.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call them on 08458 505505 or the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.

Finmere Primary School, near Bicester, was closed yesterday due to the weather conditions – but the Met Office says Oxfordshire is unlikely to see any more snow over the next few days. Forecasters last night predicted temperatures in the county will drop to lows of -4C over the next five days, but snow was unlikely. People are urged to be careful when walking or driving as there are likely to be icy patches.