A NEW police poll has blown away the perception of an Oxford estate as a hotbed of crime, a police inspector has claimed.

Insp Andy Storey has just overseen the largest police consultation undertaken on Blackbird Leys.

The consultation — which saw nearly 700 people asked questions by post or face-to-face — was completed over three months late last year.

Everyone surveyed was asked the question ‘What is causing antisocial behaviour in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys — what is the problem?’ Of the 684 people surveyed – just over five per cent of the estate’s 13,580 residents – 385 responded “no problem” to the survey.

Mr Storey said the figures showed that more than half — 56 per cent — of the people surveyed felt there were no problems with crime on the estate.

He said: “There is a perception that Blackbird Leys comes with a high number of problems and that it is not a great place to be.

“That is an old, outdated perception, and to read something like these surveys just blows it apart. That is hugely satisfying.”

Mr Storey said the question had been left open so as not to direct comments and added he believed residents took the question to mean crime in general.

He said the survey had been aimed to be as representative as possible of the population.

Youths hanging round the shops in Blackbird Leys Road had been asked their opinion, as well as the elderly, families and local traders.

Mr Storey continued: “There are issues but it does mean a lot of people on the estate know they are able to walk around the estate without fear of attack. It clearly shows the perception of the estate is wrong.

“Perceptions linger, but they are there to be challenged and that is what this document does.”

The survey was also used to highlight issues residents would like police to prioritise. They are antisocial behaviour, drugs and parking.

ghamilton@oxfordmail.co.uk