A MAN police have described as a "one-man crime wave" has been arrested as part of a major operation targeting Oxford's worst criminals.

Police officers involved in the ongoing Operation Backlash spotted the man, who is well known to the city's autocrime team, in East Oxford.

He had been named as the police's number one target at their morning briefing because he had breached his bail conditions following an appearance at court four days before, charged with theft from a vehicle.

He was also on police bail on suspicion of burglary and possession of a class-A drug with intent to supply.

When he realised he had been spotted by police, the man fled on a bicycle which police believe may have been stolen into Florence Park.

Officers taking part in the operation elsewhere in the city were called to assist with a search of the park on foot, and a watch was put on each of the entrances to make sure the suspect did not escape.

After a ten-minute search of the park, the man was eventually tracked down and found hiding in a bush, still clutching his bicycle.

Det Sgt Tony Lees, of the burglary team based at St Aldate's, described the arrest as "fantastic".

He said: "I am really pleased with that. He is a crime wave in his own right.

"That man hits every crime category there is drugs, cars, burglaries, bikes. He scores in every box, so that is a great start to the operation today."

Seven people were arrested on Wednesday, one on suspicion of burglary, one on suspicion of robbery, two for theft from motor vehicle, two for drugs offences and one for shoplifting.

A further 34 people were stop checked and four specific intelligence forms were submitted as a result of Wednesday's Backlash patrols On Monday, police stopped 31 people and arrested four two for drugs offences, one for breach of bail and one for cycle theft.

Three of the people arrested have been charged and one has been remanded in custody.

Operation Backlash was launched in April and involves officers flooding the streets of Oxford to target the city's worst criminals.

Det Sgt Lees said: "Operation Backlash is about getting in the faces of criminals and making sure that they know we are watching them. We aim to ensure the criminals who are operating in our city know we are out there looking for them."