Thames Valley Police has issued guidance to motorists after noting the increase, in particular with cars with keyless entry.

A spokesperson said: “We are seeing a significant increase in the theft of motor vehicles across Oxfordshire, particularly involving keyless entry cars.

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“Offenders are using specialist technology to copy or relay the signal from car key fobs, allowing them to unlock and steal vehicles without forcing entry.”

Among the measures the force recommends are to keep keys in a Faraday pouch when not in use and to use a steering wheel lock as a deterrent.

The spokesperson added: “To help protect your vehicle, please consider the following measures.

“Keep your car keys in a Faraday pouch or signal-blocking box when not in use. Use a steering wheel lock as a visible deterrent.

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“Where possible, install drive‑way bollards or gates. Park in a well-lit area and, if you have one, use your garage.

“Keep keys away from doors and windows inside your home. Taking these extra steps can make a real difference and help reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

“If you see anything suspicious, report it to Thames Valley Police via 101 or online web form. In an emergency, always call 999.”

The former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter has lived in Oxfordshire for several years, owning Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington.

He added to this a couple of years ago with the £1,000,000 purchase of The Windmill pub in Asthall, which he renamed The Farmer’s Dog.

Having renovated the spot, Mr Clarkson opened it up to the public in August of 2024, and it has been a hit, regularly attracting large numbers of customers.

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The TV star is also set to appear at The Great British Farm Fest at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire later this month from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24.

Speaking to the media ahead of the new event, which has been dubbed the UK’s “biggest country fair and music festival”, Mr Clarkson made some raw points on the farming industry.

“I’m in an extremely fortunate position with other income streams, so I’m probably not the best person to answer that,” he said.

“I can’t even begin to imagine how awful it must be for farmers who don’t host Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which is most farmers.

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“But, you know, it must just be utterly, utterly soul-destroying with what’s going on now- absolutely soul-destroying.

“I mean, it hurts me enough when you lose money, which we managed to do last year, and you just think, ‘Christ, we put a lot of work into that and have lost money’.

“It fills me with despair.”

Mr Clarkson returns to screens next month (Wednesday, June 3) with the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm on Prime Video.

Oxfordshire County Council has launched a public consultation for proposed height restrictions on the new bridge at Botley Road.

The plans also include scrapping parking spaces in Cripley Road in favour of ‘no waiting at any time’ prohibitions.

As reported last month, vehicles more than 4.4m tall will no longer be able to go through the new Botley Road bridge once the road finally reopens this August.

An artist’s impression of how the new bridge could look (Image: Network Rail)

The new rail bridge in Botley Road Oxford (Image: Andy Ffrench)

It means that double decker trailers attached to the back of some lorries will not be able to access the city from Botley Road due to the height of the trailers reaching 4.95m.

However, all buses used in Oxfordshire including the double deckers will be able to drive under the bridge and be exempt from the restrictions.

Oxfordshire County Council says in its consultation that by introducing the height restrictions, it would help to ensure potential incidents of tall vehicles hitting the bridge are “minimised” which would then keep the flow of traffic.

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It adds that the reason to remove the shared use and permit holder only parking spaces in Cripley Road is as a result of carriageway re-alignment works and access to the station.

Spaces on the west side of Cripley Road would be lost in favour of ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions.

Cripley Road parking suspension (Image: Matt Simpson)

“The council continues to consider the provision of suitable and adequate parking and to facilitating the expeditious, convenient, and safe movement of vehicles and other traffic, access to travel facilities and in particular to manage the demand between retail, residential parking and commercial access for vehicles servicing the station,” a spokesperson for the council added.

A Network Rail spokesman said earlier that the new bridge has been built to county council specifications at 4.4m high, “which is suitable for the vast majority of vehicles on the road”.

But city and county councillor Susanna Pressel warned: “That means we may again get large vehicles stuck underneath it and/or forced to turn around in Mill Street or Abbey Road.”

In the UK, standard minimum clearance for bridges is 5.03m, but lower restrictions such as the new Botley rail bridge are common.

The previous bridge in Botley Road was signed at 4m tall and the council said this was a problem for some buses.

Oxfordshire County Council’s public consultation on the parking removal and height restrictions in the Botley Road area is open until June 5.

Newly appointed cabinet member for transport Rebekah Fletcher will have the final say on the decision at a scheduled meeting later that month.