Traders on an Oxford housing estate have welcomed news CCTV is to be installed at troublespots for the first time.

Oxford City Council’s south east area committee and Oxford Safer Communities Partnership have pledged a total of £26,000 to install two 360-degree cameras by shops on Blackbird Leys.

The council, partnership and Thames Valley Police have identified three possible locations for the cameras.

The locations are: by the ‘Top Shops’ in Blackbird Leys Road, behind stores in Balfour Road, and outside Spar in Dunnock Way, Greater Leys. All three have become hang-out areas for gangs of youths.

Crimes committed in the troublespots include attempted murder, assault, burglary, arson and robbery.

On Thursday, a council spokes-man confirmed money had been made available by the two organisations, and police and council officers would now analyse crime statistics and visit the estate before recommending which two sets of shops receive a camera.

The ‘Top Shops’ area has the worst crime problem of the three. And Paul Whitman, owner of Delteys supermarket said: “It is long overdue. Customers have told us they have been frightened to come into the shop because people have been stood outside it.

“I have spoken to the traders along here and they are all very pleased about it.”

Linda Edwards, a supervisor at Nash’s Bakery, also in Blackbird Leys Road, said: “I am pleased it is going to happen. We need them here. Customers will feel better.”

City councillor Saj Malik, board member for safer communities, said: “Our job is to keep the city and environment safe for people.

“This is something the local businesses and communities have demanded, and we have provided.”

Insp Andy Storey said he was happy at the news funding had been made available for the cameras.

He said that in a recent police poll on the estate, 448 people had backed the installation of CCTV outside shops while only 24 people were against the idea.

Each of the cameras will be linked to the city’s main CCTV station in St Aldate’s.

No date has been set as yet for the installation of the cameras.

A similar CCTV scheme in Cowley Road went live in January – 15 years after cameras were first suggested.

A city council spokesman said: “The south east area committee and Oxford Safer Communities Partnership have agreed to allocate £13,000 each to pay for CCTV cameras in Blackbird Leys.

“Work is now ongoing to identify suitable locations for the two cameras. A site visit will take place in April.”

ghamilton@oxfordmail.co.uk