Bicester residents who say they have been plagued by car arson and burglaries have launched a petition calling for street lighting in their neighbourhood.

People living in Keble Road and Ruskin Walk are worried after three cars parked behind their houses were targeted by arsonists last month.

Police believe the vandals set fire to a red Vauxhall Omega and a red Vauxhall Corsa at 2.15am on Saturday, August 26. The fire also damaged a black Peugeot 206.

Residents say the Cherwell District Council-owned car park has also been the scene of other arson attacks, including one in April which spread to a garden fence.

Keble Road resident Kurt Ceri was so concerned about the increasing number of attacks he started a petition. He has sent it, with 52 signatures, to the district council.

He said: "I'm a long-term resident of the Keble Road area in Bicester with the gravest concern for my immediate neighbourhood, following yet another car arson.

"Other crimes committed in the pitch darkness include attempted burglary, house burglary, car theft and petrol siphoning.

"Such crimes are not acceptable. I'm deeply concerned about general security in this area, particularly the lack of street lighting in the car park."

Andrew Fulljames, district council property portfolio holder, said: "Some of the problems they have experienced around there are totally unreasonable and we need to put a stop to them. Arson in the town is a problem. I'm looking to deal with the issue properly."

Bicester police inspector Oliver Wright told a council meeting on Tuesday that despite the recent attacks in Ruskin Walk, statistics showed arson in Bicester was down 70 per cent compared with this time last year.

The town's crime reduction adviser David Campbell said he supported the residents' campaign.

He said improved lighting had been fitted in Nuffield Close, Hertford Close and Hudson Street in Bicester for community safety reasons in the past year.

He said: "It can be done. It's been proved in the past that effective lighting has two benefits - firstly as a deterrent to offenders and, secondly, it makes the local residents feel a lot safer."