SEVEN people have been arrested in a crackdown on burglaries in Banbury. The arrests came as police searched houses and executed search warrants in connection with a series of break-ins between September 14 and 19. Two men have appeared in court and are in custody awaiting sentence.

John Green, 34, of Bretch Hill, Banbury, was charged with burglary of a non-dwelling. He appeared at Banbury magistrates court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on October 16.

Michael Lilley, aged 34, of Hearthway, Banbury, appeared before the town's magistrates court on Friday charged with handling stolen goods and possessing cannabis.

He pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody. He will appear court again at a date to be set.

The burglaries were all in the Bretch Hill and Highlands areas of the town.

Twenty break-ins were reported in the space of six days, mainly involving garages.

Five other people were also arrested on suspicion of burglary, four men aged 33, 30, 25, and 17, and a woman aged 20. They have been bailed until October 19 and 21 while inquiries continue.

The investigation was a joint effort by the Cherwell Priority Crime Team, Banbury beat officers, and the new Neighbourhood Management Team.

Det Sgt Ian Hunter, who heads the Priority Crime Team, said: "A large amount of property was recovered, some of which was identified as being from these burglaries.

"The two charges demonstrate that there is no hiding place for those committing burglaries."

  • Northamptonshire Police were appealing for information following a distraction burglary, an attempted distraction burglary, and other attempts to break into houses in Middleton Cheney early this week.

Det Sgt Gan Thayanithy, from the area crime investigation unit, said: "We seized a car which was seen in the village in suspicious circumstances, and from which a number of men were seen running away. That vehicle is now being forensically examined."

One attempted burglary, in Royal Oak Lane between 6pm and 6.20pm, was thwarted thanks to the elderly woman householder refusing entry. He claimed he needed to test the water.

At about 6.45pm, a man called at a house in Dands Drive saying he was from the water board. After he was allowed in, and a second man appeared at the back door. The two escaped over a garden wall, having stolen cash from the house.

The Thames Valley force helicopter, a police dog and local police officers carried out searches but no arrests were made.