POLICE were called in to patrol an Oxford swap shop following concerns about gangs of aggressive traders muscling in on the free events to grab items of value.

Concerns had been raised that the monthly meetings – which operate like a cash-free car boot sale – had become victims of their own success.

As reported in the Oxford Mail last month, volunteer organisers who run the events across the city to help people swap unwanted household items had noticed gangs of traders snatching the best donations and acting aggressively.

But Saturday’s swap shop at the Bullingdon Community Centre in Peat Moors, Headington, passed off in the spirit it was intended.

A sometimes-frantic but well-mannered atmosphere was aided by a police van in the car park and the figure of Pc Andrew Reid at the door.

Volunteer Maurice Herson said: “The thing with traders, it’s fair enough earning a living through car boot sales.

“But it’s behaving selfishly, pushing people out of the way, pushing to the front of the queue, getting stuff before people have even unloaded it from their cars – that’s the behaviour we are trying to control.

“We don’t mind stuff being reused but not people who abuse the idea or take liberties.”

Speaking shortly after letting in a 30-strong queue of people which had formed well before the centre opened, Mr Herson added: “We get an awful lot of stuff that otherwise would be thrown in the dustbin.

“It may well eventually end up there, but these events allow one, two, three or four more people to get use out of items before that happens.

“Toys and books are always the most popular things.

“My daughter might grow out of something but then I can pass it on to the next generation.

“These swap shops have been running for well over three years and on average we get between 150 and 200 people.

“We weigh everyone’s bags on the way out and the total taken away is normally between half a ton and a ton, and always more than 500 kilos.”

Among the throng of people was former Oxford Lord Mayor Patsy Yardley, who said: “When I heard about these events I thought ‘what a good idea’. I thoroughly approve.”

Biddy Hudson, of Temple Cowley, took home a collection of old books, but not for reading.

She said: “I will be using them for what’s called ‘altered books’, which is where you take an old book and change it some way and make it into a work of art.

“I think these events are a great idea. It keeps things moving round and give them a new lease of life.”

Keeping watch from the front door, Pc Reid said: “As far as I can see everything is running as it should.”