A spate of heating oil thefts across north Oxfordshire are being investigated by Thames Valley Police.

Officers said there had been 17 offences in the Banbury and Bicester areas since October.

Fuel has been stolen from residents’ oil tanks in all the incidents and police are linking the thefts.

The incidents took place:

• Between 10.15pm on October 10 and 11.30am on October 11 in Cherry Street, Stratton Audley.

• Between 12am on October 11 and 5.30pm on January 30 in Dashwood Rise, Duns Tew.

• Between 11.30pm on October 31 and 9.30am on November 1 in School Lane, Middleton Stoney.

• Between 2am and 9am on November 1 in School Lane, Middleton Stoney,.

• Overnight between November 2 and November 3 in Park Close, Middleton Stoney.

• Between 5pm on November 3 and 6.30pm on November 9 in Park Close, Middleton Stoney.

• Overnight between November 16 and November 17 in Main Street, Bicester.

• Between 10.45pm on November 16 and 9.30am on November 17 in Main Street, Hethe.

• Between November 17 and November 24 in Middleton Road, Bucknell.

• Between 12am on November 18 and 6.30am on November 19 in the gated road to Milton, Deddington.

• At about 11am on December 24 in Main Street, Duns Tew

• Between 5pm on November 26 and 1pm on November 29 in Upper Tadmarton.

• Between 5am and 7am on November 29 in Hardwick Road, Hethe.

• Between 5pm on January 5 and 12pm on January 12 in Main Street, Duns Tew.

• Between 8am on January 14 and 12pm on February 19 in the street running through Stoke Lyne.

• Between 12am on January 24 and 10.30am on January 25 in The Green, Stoke Lyne.

• Between 11.30pm on February 20 and 7am on February 21 in Milton Gate Road, Deddington.

Sgt Becky Fishwick, of Banbury and Bicester rural neighbourhood team, said: “We would urge residents to put locks on their heating oil tanks and, where possible, keep any access gates to gardens locked and secure.”