Birthday cakes given to criminals

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A police chief is handing out birthday cakes and cards to prolific offenders in a bid to cut crime in Oxfordshire.

Ch Insp Andy Boyd uses his own cash to buy the Victoria Sponge cakes and delivers them in person.

Thames Valley Police revealed it had seen a significant reduction in crime since the initiative launched six months ago in the Vale of White Horse.

Police said criminals were "surprised" when he turns up at their front door but take it in "good spirits".

I believe that giving these offenders birthday cakes and cards has helped to significantly reduce crime Ch Insp Andy Boyd

Officers deliver birthday cards to other offenders while they are on the beat as part of a number of measures to cut crime in the area.

But it is Ch Insp Boyd who personally delivers cakes and cards to the county's more prolific criminals, who are visited on an almost daily basis.

He said: "Their reaction is one of surprise, but the majority accept it in the spirit in which it's delivered.

"I believe that giving these offenders birthday cakes and cards has helped to significantly reduce crime.

"I think that this initiative shows an offender there is a support network for them and that there is somewhere for them to turn to should they ever feel the urge to commit crime again."