2026-01-08 13:06:41

Neighbours in a crime-ridden suburb are banging clappers in a bid to deter crime.

The annoyed folks are patrolling the streets of Littlemore, Oxford, with hyoshigi – a Japanese musical instrument created with two pieces of hardwood or bamboo, held together by a thin ornamental rope – following tyre slashings and a stabbing.

And councillor David Henwood is one of those people who are taking to the streets with the item – used in theatres by night watchmen for safety reasons – to encourage residents to keep an eye out for bad behaviour.

He is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: “These are wooden clappers used at night to remind people to check things like gas supplies and general safety.

“I’ll be using them in a similar way – to encourage residents to stay vigilant.

Councillor Henwood referenced a time when the method worked.

He shared: “We did it in one time when we had a large spate of bike thefts. It told thieves we were in the area.”

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