Heroin addicts in Oxford should have access to "shooting galleries" where they can inject their drugs and dispose of dirty needles.

This is the view of city councillor Susanna Pressel, who believes the move would help reduce the number of needles discarded in public places.

Her idea, which is similar to projects called injecting rooms set up in Germany, Holland and Switzerland, has been supported by staff at the Oxfordshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (Daat).

Talking at the inaugural meeting of the Oxford Health Overview and Security Committee, Ms Pressel suggested that "safe havens" should be provided for people injecting drugs.

After the meeting she said: "One of the biggest problems in the city is drug use. There are various things we could look at.

"I have talked about a safe place for injecting which would hopefully prevent the amount of syringes found in public places.

"We know drug use goes on all over the city. One of the major problems is that a lot of needles are disposed of irresponsibly and we're fed up of finding needles in public places.

"We would give them a clean place to inject, a place to dispose of needles and health advice.

"We have to think laterally and find a way to reduce the impact on the general public. It's terribly controversial and we couldn't do anything without public consultation."

The Oxfordshire Daat said about 514 injecting drug users used the 10 needle exchanges around Oxford, where they can swap old syringes for new.

Vanessa Hayward, Daat development pharmacist, said: "What you are talking about is illegal shooting galleries, but it's a great idea. I would be in favour of the idea for individual drug users and the community. "It's the homeless drug use that's the problem. If you are homeless you haven't got a roof over your head or if you are in a hostel you're not allowed to take drugs there.

"We'd love to have a pilot like this in Oxford, but if you're going to have a safe and secure environment you have to have people coming in with their own illegal drugs and you need equipment and staff to man it. It's a good idea in theory, but in practice it's more difficult."

In April last year, the Oxford Mail revealed that 7,000 syringes had been collected in the city over six months.

Although most were dropped in sharps bins specially designed for safe disposal, 1,700 were dumped on streets, towpaths and in car parks.

Despite this, not all councillors support Ms Pressel's idea.

Although Blackbird Leys street wardens find between 12 and 20 syringes every week, ward councillor Molly Florey, who is also a member of the overview and scrutiny committee, said she would prefer to see sharps bins installed in the area.

She said: "I'm not sure a shooting gallery would be a good idea. Yes, people want to keep it out of the public eye, but where would you put it?

"I'd like to see some sharps bins in designated places where we could encourage people to deposit their needles.

"They might not all do it, but if some users did it might stop some syringes being dumped in our children's playgrounds and dustbins."