The first Oxfordshire police officer to benefit from the Government's Starter Homes Initiative has moved in.

Pc Philip Kerman, 28, who has been with Thames Valley Police for four years and is based in Oxford, has moved into a two-bedroomed house in Bicester. He bought his house under Homebuy, which meant he got a mortgage for 75 per cent of the house's value.

Northcote Housing Association paid the rest.

As reported in the Oxford Mail earlier this week, Thames Valley Police has been allocated funding for 171 houses over three years for its officers and civilians.

Grants totalling £4.2m will help 36 staff in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Pc Kerman said: "It's important officers are able to find homes in Oxfordshire they can afford, and the scheme has enabled me to do that. It may encourage more people to join and stay with the force."

Under the alternative Do It Yourself Shared Ownership scheme, the employee buys a part share -- usually 50 per cent -- in a home of their choice and pays a subsidised rent for the remainder.

Northcote Housing Association is also building properties for a shared ownership scheme to help key workers such as police officers and nurses.

Insp Martin Elliott, chairman of the force's Police Federation branch, said: "Anything we can do to retain people in the Thames Valley has got to be positive, particularly as more than 80 per cent of our recruits come from outside the area.

"If we can get them to put down roots, that has got to be extremely welcome for the force."