BURGLARS stole £5,000 in cash and cigarettes from Arden News on High Street, Banbury. Police believe a rear door was forced open between 9pm and 10pm on Wednesday night.

Local people are being warned to be on their guard after eight burglaries in the Warwick Road and Neithrop area of Banbury over the last two weeks.

Det Sgt Ian Hunter, of Thames Valley Police Cherwell Priority Crime team, said: "We have stepped up police patrols in the area but I would still urge anyone with any information to come forward." The main items stolen have been handbags, mobile phones, cash and credit cards, and electrical items in roads including Neithrop Avenue, Pinhill Road, Sinclair Avenue and Warwick Road. Three men from the local area have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Tricksters managed to get into an elderly woman's home after they claimed they needed to turn the taps off following an accident down the street. The man knocked on the door of the house, in Hilton Road, Banbury, at about 7pm on Tuesday and the woman let him in. Meanwhile, two other men went upstairs and searched the rooms, but did not manage to steal anything. PC Mark Torrington, of Banbury police, said: "I would advise residents that the 'Water Board' no longer exists and if anyone claims they need to enter your home, make sure that they have sufficient identification."

Thieves stole a purse from the shopping trolley of an 80-year-old woman while she was shopping in Bon Marche, Bridge Street, Banbury. She was not hurt in the incident.

Callum Beaton, 35, of Fettiplace Road, Oxford, who was charged with possession of a bladed article will appear before Banbury Magistrates' Court on Monday, April 10. He was arrested in an alleyway off Newlands Road, Banbury, on Thursdaymar30 afternoon.

Anyone with information should call the Police Enquiry Centre on 08458 505505.