Police are planning to create a mini-police station in the centre of one of Oxford's estates.

Officers want to set up an outpost office in the heart of Blackbird Leys to make themselves more visible and available to the local community.

The base would provide a permanent office for the area sergeant and the four Pcs and four PCSOs who patrol the estate.

Thames Valley Police has already identified two possible locations and held tentative talks with Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) about converting an empty health centre in Blackbird Leys Road.

Sgt Mark Davis said: "Since I've been here, I have been trying to find somewhere on the estate that we can have an outpost police station to work from.

"I want somewhere that puts us right in the heart of the community, where we can be more accessible, respond more quickly and be more visible."

Sgt Davis added he aimed to set up clinics where local people could pop in to the new base to raise their concerns.

The health centre has been vacant since May, when it was superseded by a new £3.3m health complex in Dunnock Way, Greater Leys.

Sgt Davis stressed that the complex was just one of several locations being looked at, but admitted: "In terms of its location, it is ideal because it is right in the heart of the estate.

"It is very close to the Top Shops which would not be a bad thing. There have been issues identified in that area - if we were right there, it would be perfect."

The Agnes Smith Advice Centre, based in Blackbird Leys Road, has also approached Oxfordshire PCT about using part of the building.

A spokesman for the trust confirmed it had spoken to the police and other voluntary groups about the building and said it aimed to have an agreement with new occupants by the end of the year.

Brian Lester, a former chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, who campaigned to keep the health centre building in community use, said: "I think it would be a good place for them and I think it would be good for the community.

"If they got Agnes Smith in, that would be even better."

Supt Brendan O'Dowda, head of Oxford police, has backed plans to create five new neighbourhood police offices across the city.

As well as an existing office in Banbury Road, North Oxford, and the proposed base at Blackbird Leys, Thames Valley Police are looking at a corner of Sainsbury's, near the Heyford Hill roundabout, in Littlemore, and at converting the old fire station in George Street in the city centre.

A council flat at The Oval, in Rose Hill, and part of the Barton Neighbourhood Centre in Underhill Circus are also currently being turned into bases.

Once completed, teams of neighbourhood officers will work out of the new bases rather than Cowley or Oxford Police Stations, and will go to the main stations only when they make an arrest.

Supt O'Dowda said: "The public has this insatiable appetite to see police officers. If they can see a police officer within the community coming out of wherever it is, it's much better than three or four miles down the road.

"These bases will act as a focal point where people know they can just go and bang on the door.

When a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) or a Neighbourhood Specialist Officer (NSO) come in every day, I don't want them coming to Cowley Police Station, so they can get their kit and go to a briefing.

"I would much rather they go to the heart of the community and log on to a database to get their brief so they can get out on patrol and be visible. Of course, it is going to have an effect on crime in some way - criminals will believe that response times will be quicker.

"I'm not suggesting that it's going to be the sole factor in reducing crime, but it will contribute to it."

Barton Community Association secretary Sue Holden has seen first-hand the effects of more visible patrols.

Neighbourhood officers in Barton have more than doubled since the start of the year, and she said: "I think having them working on the ground in the community has got to be more productive.

"With the new base, they will not have to cycle or go back to Cowley to do their written work. They will be here and will have more time to spend on the streets.

"It's great. It's going back to grass roots policing."