New moves to crack down on drink and drug-fuelled crime and antisocial behaviour are to be launched in Oxford.

Police are keen to introduce Shop and Pubwatch schemes in Cowley in a bid to get retailers, pubs, police officers and other agencies talking to each other about how to make the area safer.

Pc David Scott, who is behind the planned Shop Watch initiative, said: "Drug misuse and shoplifting all fit into one thing because people steal to buy drugs.

"Our aim is to set up some kind of link with police, retailers and security so we can work together, share information and identify shoplifters and antisocial behaviour within the shopping centres.

"It will mean stores can have confidence in tackling and identifying offenders and reporting their experience. We can then deal with it using that 'diary' evidence."

Templars Square shopping centre manager Aaron Bayliss welcomed the initiative and said: "It's very much in the fledgling stages, but pushing towards a partnership with all agencies with a view to reducing crime and sharing information is a very good thing.

"We obviously work very closely with the police and have our own store radio system, but there is no direct link at the moment so that is something that could be considered."

A first meeting with retailers will be held on March 31.

The second push is the introduction of a Pubwatch scheme to Cowley, which Pc Mike Dix said would give licensees the opportunity to work in partnership with police to identify and ban troublemakers from all pubs in the area and deal with any drug-related issues.

Pc Dix said: "The broader picture will be to achieve a reduction of irresponsible drinking and in turn reduce antisocial behaviour of drinkers while outside the licensed premises or on the journey home.

"This is a great opportunity for licensees to get together, share information and support one another to achieve a common goal of which the whole community will benefit from."

Ian Robbins, who has just taken over as landlord of the Marsh Harrier, in Marsh Road, said: "I think it's an excellent idea."

Liz Bye, manager at The Nelson, in Between Towns Road, said: "We did have a Pubwatch going a few years ago but we were a bit disappointed because it didn't seem to be going anywhere. When the officer who was involved moved on, it faded out.

"If you bar people from premises you know how to handle them. But with anything more serious - where you are worried for the safety of customers, staff or yourself - Pubwatch is the answer."