Officers in desk jobs with south Oxfordshire police are to go back on the streets to support their patrolling colleagues.

Seventeen officers, including the crime reduction, community safety, and restorative justice teams, will join the beat in the next four months.

The pilot scheme, which was the brainchild of area commander Supt Phil Gormley, will mean there are more bobbies on the beat in Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford, Henley, Thame and Faringdon on Friday nights - the busiest time for police.

The new arrangements have been introduced to reflect public demand to see more police officers on patrol. Supt Gormley hopes to field an extra four officers on patrol every Friday.

The support officers are taking on the patrols in addition to their normal jobs and will be paid overtime.

Supt Gormley said: "Provision of a high profile policing service is a priority for Thames Valley Police.

"This pilot scheme has been introduced in consultation with officers, who have broadly welcomed the move. There are benefits for all involved.

"As far as the public is concerned, additional officers on the streets of south Oxfordshire at key times can only be good news."

Supt Gormley said the scheme would allow station-based officers to see first hand the pressures patrol officers operate under, as well as giving them additional support.

A force spokesman said all office-based officers had safety training and were up to date on crime reduction issues.