BARTON’S Neighbourhood Police force is aiming to crack down on anti-social behaviour and drug crimes on the estate.

Police sergeant Martyn Williams has enjoyed working in Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst since he joined the unit about 16 months ago.

And the leader of the neighbourhood team said the estate’s problems were his own and he was committed to tackling major issues in the area.

He said: “Thames Valley Police’s priorities include tackling assault, child sexual exploitation and burglaries.

“Locally we have our own priorities that we add to that list.

“From residents coming to community meetings and raising issues, drugs and anti-social behaviour have been identified so there are five issues for us to target. With drugs we are interested in the dealers and stopping the supply.”

Sgt Williams added: “I have a very old-fashioned philosophy of policing.

“The community know that we are here to help and be visible, but if they commit a crime they have to deal with the consequences.”

The sergeant said that part of policing in the neighbourhood was to liaise with members of the community to see what they wanted to improve on their estate.

He also added that there was a buoyant “community spirit” in Barton, Risinghurst and Sandhills, which helped the police when they needed intelligence to solve crimes.

Sgt Williams said: “A neighbourhood officer does more than just react and deal with a crime.

“We are here to talk and serve residents and deal with a problem from start to finish.

“We have certain projects in place where we can help people and push them to a better place before they commit a crime, or make sure they can get access to other services.”

One of the services the neighbourhood police team offers is talks in schools to prevent anti-social behaviour.

PSCO Libbie Stiff heads up the service and liaises with Bayards Hill Primary School, the Roundabout Centre and Endeavour Academy.

Sgt Williams said: “We try to see where crime is building and stop it when it is about to erupt. We try to prevent it before it happens.

“Kids for example. Children do not start out as criminals, they build up to it and that’s where Libbie comes in with the schools and community centre. She goes in and talks to the children about what is right and wrong and about what we do in the neighbourhood.”

Sgt Williams said he did not mind what some people thought of him and his team, so long as he reduced crime in the area.

Oxford city councillor for Barton, Mike Rowley, said: “Crime in Barton is much lower than it was 10 years ago, thanks to the hard work of local police officers along with community representatives.”