Parish councillors known for asking for more bobbies on the beat have called for the local officer to be moved because of allegations made against her husband four years ago.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council, with the backing of a city councillor, has written to Oxford area commander, Chief Supt David McWhirter calling for Pc Trish James-Leach to avoid their meetings because she could cause "unnecessary friction and distress".

Jane and Geoff Lacey and their son Eddie

The campaign against Pc James-Leach is being led by Jane Lacey because Pc Tony Leach allegedly injured her husband Geoff during an arrest. Mrs Lacey and other councillors have gone further by asking for Pc James-Leach to be transferred.

But Mr McWhirter has refused to move the officer from Blackbird Leys.

"The deployment and posting of officers is an operational matter and as such is a police decision decision, not one for politicians. I have no desire to see the officers used a pawn for councillors' personal agendas.

"In any any event, it is entirely inappropriate to transfer the allegation from one officer to the officer's wife. Trish is a respected and professional officer who should be allowed to get on with her job.

"I would expect Jane Lacey to rise above her own personal interests in her role as parish councillor. It is is a shame the parish council allowed a personal agenda to get in the way of the interests of the majority."

On April 27, 1999, police called at the Laceys' Knights Road home and arrested Mr Lacey on suspicion of burglary. The 42-year-old suffered a broken nose and claimed that Pc Tony Leach was one of several officers who injured him. Mr Lacey was not charged with any offence.

An internal inquiry ruled Pc Leach had no case to answer. He was transferred from St Aldate's to Wantage but his wife has now joined the Blackbird Leys patrol team.

Mrs Lacey, 42, said: "I do not bear a grudge against the new beat officer but I think this is an insensitive appointment, given the background."

She said the parish council had called for Thames Valley Police to increase the number of officers patrolling Blackbird Leys on numerous occasions in the past five years but said: "That is not the issue here."

Mr Lacey, an assistant site manager at Peers School, Littlemore, added: "I know this officer has to do her job somewhere but there are thousands of officers who could have been placed in Blackbird Leys instead."

Independent city councillor Stuart Craft, who represents Northfield Brook ward, has asked Thames Valley Police to reconsider the appointment of Pc James-Leach.

But Thames Valley Police Federation spokesman Insp Martin Elliott said it would be a breach of employment law and human rights if Pc James-Leach suffered "a penalty as a result of the alleged actions of another officer".

Pc Trish James-Leach was not available for comment and her husband declined to say anything.

Parish councillor Lee Cole said it was the unanimous decision of 10 councillors to send the letter calling for Pc James-Leach to avoid their meetings.

He added: "We would like to see more police patrolling Blackbird Leys but I personally think it would be better if this officer was transferred. We felt we owed it to our fellow councillor to give her our support."

Crime has fallen in Blackbird Leys by three per cent in the last year, which has been attributed to the work of community beat officers.

Mr McWhirter was confident that the good relations between police and the community would not be affected. But parish councillor Bob Avery said he was concerned that the row would seriously damage relations between police and the council.

He said: "I'm not sure whether pursuing this is a good idea. Jane is a close member of the community and we also need police to act on our behalf. My sympathies go to both parties."

Parish councillor Linda Booker said: "I'm totally behind Jane."