A new survey shows Oxford residents are feeling safer in the city centre than three years ago.

The Talkback survey, carried out on behalf of Oxford City Council, Oxford City Primary Care Trust and the police, asked 1,500 people their opinions on crime and disorder in the area.

Most said they felt safer than when the survey was last carried out in 1998 but illegal drug use was highlighted as a major concern.

Police, the council and the trust have all pledged to continue working together to address issues raised in the survey.

Other key findings were:

** Seventy-eight per cent said the way they lived their lives was unaffected by crime, but those most likely to feel unsafe included women, young people, public tenants and people on low incomes

**Thirty-three per cent said they felt safe walking through the city centre after dark, compared to 29 per cent last time

**People who felt safe were also those most likely to take special security measures at home and with their vehicles

**The main problems highlighted in the city centre were social, including alcohol abuse, begging, homelessness and drugs. In residential areas, criminal activity, including robbery, house and car crime, caused most problems

**Ninety-two per cent said a more visible police presence in the streets would make them feel safer. More were in favour of CCTV than in 1998

**Sixty-six per cent of those questioned would like to see environmental improvements made to Bonn Square.

The three agencies are also finding ways to make home, vehicle and personal security devices more available to those most in need. The new crime and disorder strategy for the city is currently being prepared and Talkback members' views will be used directly in deciding what its key priorities should be.

Oxford police area commander Supt David McWhirter said: "It is very pleasing that people feel safer in the city centre than they did three years ago.

"We are committed to working with our partners and local communities to make the city an even safer place to live, work and visit."

Nicola Lloyd, the council's consultation and research co-ordinator, said: "The Talkback partners are already discussing how to use the information provided by this survey's findings to reduce fear, crime and disorder in Oxford."