COUNCIL officers have begun patrolling dog fouling problem areas in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys in a bid to clean up the estate’s parks for good.

The project, launched on Monday, is beginning with two weeks of official presence aiming to re-educate persistent offenders who refuse to pick up after their pet.

While the actual number of dog fouling incidents is hard to record, local city councillor Linda Smith said it was one of the “perennial issues” brought up by residents.

She said: “It’s a small minority of irresponsible owners, but it doesn’t take many people and it can soon become a problem.

“It was felt that Christmas was not a good time to do it so we are really getting going with the campaign now.

“The council has put a lot of investment into parks, including Blackbird Leys. We have a wonderful play area there now, and the fitness trail, and landscaping around the swimming pool.

“We don’t want anything to stop people enjoying them so getting this sorted is so important.”

Regular walkers say they have been aware of the problem for as long as they can remember.

Christopher Trafford, 26, who walks 10-year-old Staffie Elsa around Blackbird Leys Park every day, said: “One of the biggest issues around this is monitoring; I didn’t know dog wardens existed.

“There are also streets and roads with dog pooh; there’s one patch of grass near the shops in Balfour Road, but that’s not to say it’s not everywhere.”

Over the next two weeks, up to eight council officers will patrol the estate on morning and evening shifts talking to dog walkers about the issue.

Free bags with a motto stating that any bin can be used for dog waste will also be handed out.

City council neighbourhood officer Dave Growcott said “We had a week’s monitoring last week to get some data and baseline figures where you have more dog fouling.

“It started with Blackbird Leys Parish Council and is something we have ‘stolen’ from other local authorities that have noticed a difference.

“It won’t solve the issue for- ever, but it will chip away at it.”

He added that there was no “amnesty” for people caught not picking up, who can still be slapped with an £80 fixed penalty notice during the period.

On the timing of the project, community development officer Val Churchill added: “The park has started coming into its own.

“The flowers are budding and people are using it more. It’s a park for everybody to enjoy, not just dog owners.”

The scheme is being backed by Blackbird Leys Parish Council, which has been aware of the problem for a long time and is hoping to re-educate local people about it.