A Christmas crackdown on burglaries in Reading may have helped to prevent a number of home insurance claims, it has been suggested.

Police figures revealed between December 1st 2008 and January 11th 2009 there were 60 less house burglaries compared to the same period the previous year - a drop of 23.5 per cent.

Officers claimed break-ins are always a priority, but added they had focused on the crime even more over the festive period - when there is traditionally a rise in this type of offence.

Commenting on the campaign, Detective Inspector Andy Bellman said: "We are very pleased with the results but that does not mean we will be resting on our laurels."

Meanwhile, Bet Tickner, lead councillor for communities and neighbourhoods, expressed delight at the success of the initiative, urging residents to keep up their security-conscious behaviour.

Elsewhere in the Thames Valley area, residents in the Vale of White Horse were warned to be on their guard after an increase in burglaries in Abingdon.

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