The launch of neighbourhood policing in Bicester has been further delayed, officers revealed this week.

The much-publicised initiative, designed to give residents a say about tackling crime in their area, was initially due to be launched in Bicester earlier this autumn.

After it was revealed that funding problems meant the scheme had been put on hold, police said it would go ahead this month.

But this week Thames Valley Police confirmed the first neighbourhood action group in Bicester would not now meet until February next year.

Police spokesman Rebecca Webber said: "When they found out Oliver Wright (Bicester's previous police inspector) was moving on and Insp Tom Brooks was coming in, they wanted to wait until he was in place - so he could be in charge of it and take control from the beginn- ing."

Bicester West, which is covered by a police dispersal order, was originally picked as Cherwell's second neighbourhood policing area, after its introduction on three Banbury estates.

But other areas of Banbury have now taken priority.

This week, Insp Brooks said two new officers had been appointed to Bicester's neighbourhood team - Sgt Steve Birchall and Pc Mick Collery.

And he said consultation about residents' policing priorities would start next month.

He said: "My biggest thing at the moment is the rollout of neighbourhood policing, but still trying to ensure that we do all the traditional things that you expect from police.

"The delay was largely getting us in post, getting the team up to strength. It's better to be late and get it right than to rush into it and not have the people in post. Otherwise we would be promising a lot and delivering nothing.

"I'm very interested to hear what the people of Bicester tell me their priorities are."

He admitted the recruitment of police community support officers was a problem and said neighbourhood policing could not be rolled out in other areas of Bicester without at least two more PCSOs based in the town.

Town and district councillor Les Sibley, who represents Bicester West, said: "I'm hugely disappointed. The delay will have a serious impact on trying to address the level of crime Bicester has been experiencing."