COUNCIL staff have been carrying out door-to-door visits on an estate to reassure residents after complaints of crime and antisocial behaviour.

People living in Samphire Road and Field Avenue in Blackbird Leys have received visits from Oxford City Council's community safety team following a number of complaints in the area.

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Blackbird Leys councillor Linda Smith said a range of issues had been raised.

She said: "Council officers from the community safety team carried out door knocks in the Samphire Road and Field Avenue area, this followed the report of antisocial behaviour raised by a local resident in the Oxford Mail and other comments made to councillors when we had been canvassing in the area.

"Issues the team picked up from residents included complaints of fly-tipping, an aggressive dog and a stolen bike.

"The overwhelming majority of residents had no issues of concern and all properties visited received a letter on how to report crime and antisocial behaviour."

Previously residents in the block have described gang fights, drug-dealing and people shouting abuse on the streets.

There have been a number of incidents elsewhere on the estate including youths seen climbing on the roof of a school, playing with the leisure centre fire exits and climbing building site scaffolding.

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But the neighbourhood police team has insisted the number of incidents is actually going down.

Oxford City Council has had to install security guards at Evenlode and Windrush Towers on the estate in response to youths getting into the corridors and causing havoc.

Ian Carmichael, Thames Valley Police's Crime Prevention Design Advisor, has also raised concerns that parts of the proposed re-build of the Holy Family Church in Blackbird Leys Road could also add to antisocial behaviour.

He has submitted a comment to the church's planning application that seeks to gain permission to demolish the existing church and build a replacement along with a block of flats.

In particular he wrote that a canopy intended as a cycle shelter and the proposed communal entrances to the flats may attract antisocial behaviour.

He is not objecting to the plans but recommends his concerns are looked at as the designs are finalised.

Ms Smith said she hoped the council will be able to continue carrying out door-to-door visits in future to engage with residents and ask them if they wish to report any crime.

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She said: "Police resources are increasingly stretched as they come under huge budget pressures. This means their activity is increasingly targeted into the areas which are considered to most need their attention.

"This makes it more important than ever that residents report any suspected criminal activity to the police, antisocial behaviour can be reported to the city council by emailing saferoxford@oxford.gov.uk.

"I’m really pleased to see the council and the police working together in this way to help keep the neighbourhood a safe place to live."