A new beat officer in Oxford is the perfect example of how town and gown can work together in the city.

Pc Colin Paine

Pc Colin Paine, Jericho's new community beat officer, studied philosophy at Regents Park College.

The 25-year-old admits that in his student days, he enjoyed the odd pint or two in the pubs which are now on his regular beat in and around Jericho and Walton Manor.

After joining Thames Valley Police in 1999, Pc Paine has spent most of his time policing Oxford -- the first two as a shift officer in Cowley, and more recently, four months as an Acting Sergeant in Oxford.

He said: "It does seem a bit strange, especially when I occasionally bump into people I went to college with and who have now moved on to different things. But Oxford is a great place to be, which is why I decided to come back here.

"I want to work together with the community to establish a constructive dialogue with councillors, businesses and residents. My first impressions of Jericho are that it is a thriving area, with a real sense of community spirit. It is an excellent area to live, with relatively low crime levels."

Pc Paine is hoping the local community, business as well as residential, will come forward and discuss any problems they may have about policing in the area.

People can contact him with non-emergency calls on 01865 266361, or via the Oxford helpdesk on 01865 266333. He can be e-mailed at colin-paine@thamesvalley.police.uk