A CAMPAIGN to tackle dog fouling on an Oxford housing estate has been hailed as a lasting success.

A two week campaign in February and March saw representatives from the city and parish councils patrolling six green spaces in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys.

In two days of monitoring before the campaign, there were 39 reported incidents of dog fouling. This dropped to 19 in two days after.

Five weeks later, the number was back up to 24.

Oxford City Council localities officer David Growcott said: "The scheme was really well-received by the public. Both dog owners and non-dog owners were pleased to see us handing out bags and talking to people. Most owners are responsible and pick up after their pets, but hopefully we have reminded them about their responsibilities."

During the campaign, people in the affected areas were given out information and free dog waste bags. City council officers in high-visibility jackets kept watch.

Meanwhile Blackbird Leys Parish Council has settled on a design for new signs warning owners to scoop the poop on pain of an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice.

At a meeting on Tuesday (26/4) night councillors agreed to purchase 12 A3-size vinyl signs to put up in locations around Blackbird Leys, for £300.

The signs can be moved and will be swapped around the estate's four key problem areas: Blackbird Leys Park, Gillian's Park, Fry's Hill and Spindleberry Nature Reserve.

Parish council chairman Gordon Roper said: "I think it's quite a good design. There's a little bit of humour and it catches people's eye. I just hope it works.

"Since the campaign I have noticed a difference – when I drive around I don't see so many dogs walking around. I don't know why. Perhaps owners have taken heed now that they're being watched, but where they are going I don't know."

But he added that the dog fouling issue was "just like a new brush": "It keeps clean for a fortnight, and afterwards it comes back again.

"It's got to have an eye kept on it all the time and we will have another purge again later on, in a month or so."