A new police base is due to be be officially unveiled in the heart of an Oxford estate tomorrow.

The base, in Underhill Circus, Barton, has been created to allow the estate's police sergeant, three Pcs and four PCSOs to become closer to the community it serves rather than shuttling to and fro from the Cowley station.

Officers are also planning to hold a weekly surgery where residents can raise questions and concerns It is the first in a series of mini-police stations being set-up across Oxford in order to maximise the time police spend on their beats.

Other bases will be opened in The Oval, in Rose Hill, at Sainsbury's, in Heyford Hill, George Street, in the city centre, and Blackbird Leys.

Officers have been moving into the base in Barton's revamped neighbourhood centre since December, and tomorrow's unveiling is intended to let the community know the base is now fully operational.

The base has phones, a fax machine and two computers linked to Thames Valley Police's internal IT systems.

Sgt Yak Teladia said: "One of the things a lot of people say about the police is that they don't see enough officers and PCSOs on the beat.

"By having this small base we are maximising the time police officers and PCSOs stay in the area.

"It means the Pcs and PCSOs in Barton will remain in Barton for their entire shift. Now we feel part of the community rather than being distant from it."

Sue Holden, secretary of Barton Neighbourhood Centre, said: "We're going back to how it should be - neighbourhood policing."