Tackling alcohol-related crime has now formally been made the top priority in west Oxfordshire.

The district's Community Safety Partnership, linking police with councils, youth services and other agencies, has built the issue into its new three-year crime plan.

Heavy drinking, under-age drinking and antisocial behaviour caused by drinking were listed as the most important things to tackle by Neighbourhood Action Groups consulted before the plan was drawn up.

Area police commander Ch Supt Dennis Evernden said: "It has to be tackled because it directs our resources away from the more serious end of crime, like violence, robbery and burglary."

Last October police mounted their first major operation against under-age drinking on Witney's Deer Park estate. The operations have been repeated twice and will be ongoing, added Mr Evernden.

He said: "The signs are that we are being successful because, after that first large haul of drink, we've hardly had to seize any. The school proms after exams are coming up and we will be on the lookout again then.

"Our district has some of the lowest levels of crime and disorder in the Thames Valley and by working in partnership with key agencies the new three-year strategy will help us reduce these further."

An intelligence assessment last year found recorded crime in the district continued to be low, with crimes per thousand of the population dropping to 29.1, compared to 31.1 three years before.