A community TV scheme is being launched this week in north Oxfordshire.
The system — the first of its kind in Oxfordshire — will consist of 11 plasma screens placed in locations around the district.
These screens will display a range of public information throughout the day, including national news, weather and sport, community safety messages and crime reduction initiatives.
Thames Valley Police and Cherwell District Council have backed the project, along with the other members of the Cherwell Safer Communities Parternership (CSCP).
Supt Howard Stone said: “We are very excited about the launch of community TV and how we will be able to use it to communicate with the public.
“The community TV network will be a valuable tool, not only for the police, but for all the other members of the the safer communities partnership.
“In the event of an emergency, where there is a need to immediately address people within a specific area, we will be able to use the community TV to instantly send out a message there and then.
“This is something that could prove essential in locating a missing child, or gathering information on crimes and also enable us to reassure members of the public.”
He said the new screens would also help to reinforce the message that Cherwell was a safe place to live with very low levels of crime.
Councillor Nigel Morris, Cherwell’s portfolio holder for community safety, street scene and rural services, said: “These new screens will provide another method for us to get our message out into the community.
“But this facility is not just available to the police and local councils; it has the potential to benefit all public sector organisations including the NHS and fire service.
“And our partners in this venture - the stores, leisure centres, surgeries and so on – can take pride in knowing they are doing even more to serve their communities.”
Similar schemes have already proven successful in other parts of the country including Waveney, Basildon, Bracknell and Medway.
The following locations will have TV screens as part of the new Community TV network:
Banbury: Banbury Health Centre, Morrison's Cafe, Banbury Citizens Advice Bureau, Horsefair Surgery, West Bar Surgery
Bicester: Wyevale Garden Centre, Bicester & Ploughley Sports Centre, North Bicester Surgery
Kidlington: Exeter Surgery, Kidlington Medical Practice
Yarnton: Yarnton Medical Practice.
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