VILLAGERS have welcomed a new police office built into the refurbished community centre in Wootton near Abingdon.

The office, opened by local MP Nicola Blackwood on Friday, will be a base for neighbourhood officers responsible for both Wootton and surrounding villages.

Neighbourhood officer Pc Keith Morton said: “In many ways, this is like an old-fashioned rural police station, but now within the village hall rather than a full station as in the old days.

“We can meet people here, and have it as a base for the neighbourhood teams. It is a real improvement.”

Parish council chairman Alex Parker said: “It is absolutely brilliant for the community. There used to be a police house in the village, but that was sold some time in the last 20 years. Residents are very pleased to have the police presence.”

Miss Blackwood said: “This is all about people feeling they have access to highly visible police officers, so they can do their job properly.”