You report the theft of high-value caravans from Stonesfield and Kidlington (Oxford Mail, October 14 and 18).

I am absolutely appalled by the response of Thames Valley Police to these crimes.

In the Stonesfield case, it would appear that the property was valued at £17,000 and was stolen as a result of a burglary from an enclosed barn.

All burglaries reported to the police are, in my experience, attended by at least one officer and subject to his investigation, followed up by a scenes of crime officer.

In cases of burglary, the point of entry and actual scene are carefully examined for clues to obtain DNA fingerprints, blood samples, footprints or tyre marks.

Any items discarded by the criminal such as cigarette ends or fibres from clothing are also collected.

Householders living in the vicinity of the crime are visited and questioned about any information they may be able to give, and what they may have seen or heard in the area at the material times.

The media are then asked to help publicise the crime to alert the community and thus help prevent further such crimes being committed.

The action I have described certainly applied 20 years ago, but clearly and very sadly does not apply now, for whatever reasons.

JOHN WHEELER, Manor Way, Kidlington