A scheme which provides support to people who are anxious, scared or at risk while they are out in public has been expanded to Bicester.

The Safe Places National Network has been expanded by the Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team, Cherwell Crime Partnership and Cherwell District Council Community Safety Team.

The network already operates in Oxfordshire, at various locations such as community buildings, churches, libraries, charity shops, cafes, hairdressers, leisure centres, and branches of Boots, the Co-Op, Costa Coffee, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, One Stop and Tesco.

Now, this network has extended to Bicester with various local businesses participating.

Inclusion in the scheme is confirmed by the presence of a Safe Place sticker prominently displayed in the establishment's front window.

Spaces include Bicester Toys & Thorntons, Café 103 at The Beacon, Imagex, and Torino Lounge, all located within Bicester town centre.

This expansion of the Safe Places National Network aims to greatly enhance the safety and wellbeing of residents and visitors to Bicester.

The scheme is already in place in Oxford, but there are not currently any registered safe places in Banbury.

However, Thame Valley Police said via social media that despite this "in the near future, we hope to be doing a similar roll out there".

Thames Valley Police Cherwell added it was "delighted" to announce the expansion.