PUTTING police bases into the centre of estates will satisfy the public's insatiable appetite to see more bobbies on the beat, Oxford's police chief has said.

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

As well as an existing office in Banbury Road, North Oxford, Thames Valley Police is to consider using a vacant health centre in Blackbird Leys.

It is also 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 being turned into bases.

Once completed, teams of neighbourhood officers will work out of the new bases rather than Cowley or Oxford Police Station, and will only return to the main stations 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."