People in Bicester are more concerned with loitering youths, dog fouling and litter, than serious crime and disorder, police have said.

In March, the Oxford Mail and our sister paper the Bicester Advertiser joined forces with Thames Valley Police to launch a survey designed to help officers understand residents' concerns - and what priorities detectives should focus on.

Almost 650 people took part.

In the town centre, people's concerns focused on fighting, rowdiness and drunken behaviour. Loitering youths and littering also featured highly.

In the west of the town, in places like Barberry Place in Bure Park, Glory Farm and Shakespeare Drive in Bowmont Square, top complaints were about groups of youths loitering, dog fouling and drugs.

And in the east, which includes Launton Road, Peregrine Way, Sunderland Drive and Hart Place, concerns included dangerous driving and speeding, groups of youths congregating and dog fouling.

Police Sgt Steve Birchall, who analysed the results, said: "Priorities have changed in the past year.

"People are not so fearful of being victims of crime, and are more concerned with the amount of litter and dog fouling.

"We were not surprised to find groups of youths loitering as a top priority for the west as this has been a massive problem in the past.

"I would like to thank the Oxford Mail and Bicester Advertiser for being a valuable resource in getting the survey out to the residents of the town - many of whom filled in some of the most interesting surveys."

He added: "We had a number of under-16s respond - which is great as we like to know the opinions of the younger members of the community - as well as single or young mums, who perhaps don't get the opportunity to attend public consultations.

"We will still deal with issues raised that did not come out as top priorities because they are obviously of interest to residents in those particular areas."

The consultation was organised by the town's Neighbourhood Action Group, which is made up of representatives from the police, councils, schools, businesses and residents.

Hazel Wynncorr, 37, of Reedmace Road, Bure Park, said: "My top priorities were loitering youths, litter and speeding through the Bure Park area. There is always a lot of litter in the area.

"People just don't want to keep Bicester a nice place and this needs tackling.

"The youths in the area don't have anywhere to go and hang around the shops. And there are no speed limit signs, so motorists speed."

Some survey responders called for more patrols in Bowmont Square, complained at a lack of dropped pavements for wheelchair users across the town, and children going on to railway tracks. They also called for more police foot patrols.

Bowmont Square, in west Bicester, was identified as a priority area, which is to be suggested to the Neighbourhood Action Group.

The survey found the area had problems with dog fouling, loitering youths, drugs, criminal damage, burglary, muggings, fighting and drunkenness.