A row has broken out between East Oxford councillors and the police over delays installing CCTV cameras in Cowley Road.

The controversial and much-delayed scheme was put on hold again after the east area parliament met on Thursday.

Councillors, including vice-chairman Craig Simmons, said they asked police to attend and their absence meant important questions could not be answered.

Councillors want to be reassured that the initial installation will only be for a year and the cameras could be removed at any time after that 12 months.

They also wanted current crime figures to compare with figures after the trial.

But Supt Brendan O'Dowda, Oxford's top police officer, said his force was never asked to attend and added: "The issue could have been sorted weeks ago."

He said: "A sub-group of the councillors, the community-safety officer and the area co-ordinator met and had agreed a course of action in respect of the issue.

"There was consensus prior to that meeting. I find it quite bewildering that it now appears to have stalled."

Mr Simmons said: "We should not go through with this system unless we know we have the power to remove this CCTV."