Oxford University has called in the police in an attempt to end the “inconsiderate and entitled” tradition of “trashing”.

The practise sees students spray each other with champagne, confetti and foam to celebrate finishing their exams in the summer term.

In some of the more extreme cases, students can be doused in ketchup, brown sauce and other condiments, while having rotten food and eggs pelted at them.

In an attempt to clamp down on the practise, the university authorities have revealed that they are now tipping off Thames Valley Police about the expected locations of the “trashings”.

A spokesman for the university said: “Getting through examinations is a milestone but we urge our students to find ways to mark this which are far less damaging, costly and – frankly – annoying to community neighbours, the City Council and fellow members of the University.

“Thoughtless actions and inconsiderate, entitled behaviour passed off as ‘trashing’ can damage Oxford students in the minds of the community and the wider public.”