There have been calls for new powers to be used to close a vagrants' hideaway before someone gets seriously hurt.

Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to use gating measures to close off trouble hotspots or areas affected by persistent crime and antisocial behaviour.

And Blackbird Leys Parish Council hopes a drug den under a bridge will be the first to be shut off to protect children's safety.

The land under the Blackbird Leys Road bridge, near the Sandy Lane recreation ground, is used by the homeless and drug addicts.

Hypodermic needles litter the ground, along with rubbish and evidence of rough sleeping.

Parish council chairman Brian Lester fears for the safety of children playing at the recreation ground.

He said: "The bridge is used by rough sleepers and undesirables.

"If youngsters go in there, they could step on something nasty.

"We want this area closed off so that people can't get in. It's disgusting and should have been shut years ago.

"There's rubbish everywhere and street wardens always have to clear away the drug needles.

"We've got a duty to protect the public. If anybody goes in there and steps on something like a drugs needle or gets attacked, people will ask why nothing was done to prevent it."

The county council agreed to use new gating orders after becoming one of the first local authorities in the country to use powers contained in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

For the orders to be enforced, there must be evidence of persistent crime or antisocial behaviour.

Thames Valley Police, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council will all have to take part in consultation before an order can be made.

A spokesman for the county council said there had been other gating order requests for Bulwarks Lane and Pembroke Alley, in the city centre, Windale Avenue, Blackbird Leys, and a route between Giles Road and College Lane in Littlemore.

Members of the public can make suggestions for the use of gating orders by contacting the county council.