VIOLENCE in Oxford city centre has not increased as much as expected despite the growing number of nightspots, the city's police chief revealed today.

Supt Cressida Dick praised pub managers, bouncers and police for working together to keep trouble down in her annual report on the conduct of licensed premises.

Seventeen new pubs and restaurants opened in Oxford last year, with assaults rising from three to four a month.

Speaking at the city's annual licensing meeting, the Brewster Session, Supt Dick said the increase in attacks was less than she had feared, especially in the growing nightscene around George Street.

She told magistrates: "The general standard of licensees and the conduct of their premises has been high, and we have not seen an increase in alcohol related incidents.

"I voiced concerns last year about the potential for disorder in George Street after so many new premises opened.

"Thankfully although there has been a marginal increase in assaults recorded my fears have not become a reality." Police have worked closely with bar staff and increased the number of high-profile patrols at the busiest times to prevent trouble, said Supt Dick.

She said pubs and clubs are no longer recruiting people with convictions for violence or drugs thanks to a doorman registration scheme and there are also plans for a regulated bouncers' searching policy.

She also backed the city council's plans for a wide-ranging CCTV spy camera scheme in the city centre, saying it would have a "great impact in deterring disorder".

Council chiefs, who have allowed more pubs and cafes into George Street and have been promoting Oxford as a '24 hour city', welcomed the police findings.

Maureen Christian, deputy leader of the city council, said: "They do make us feel vindicated to a certain extent. However we do not want to flood the city centre with these sort of outlets. We will continue to try to find a balance."

Kevin Reeves, assistant manager at the Wig and Pen pub in George Street, added: "We try hard to put an effective system in place to prevent trouble so we are pleased. I certainly haven't notice an increase in trouble since more pubs opened up."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.