Would-be troublemakers are being warned there is nowhere to run after a radio system was set up linking pubs directly with police and CCTV operators.

Sixteen town centre bars in Witney have been issued with radios to warn police and other landlords about problems.

Police say the handsets are helping to cut alcohol-related crime and disorder and assist officers in tracking down offenders if trouble does break out.

They said the system did not replace the 999 service, but instead provided a tool to anticipate trouble "brewing" and stop problems as quickly as possible.

Insp Andy Higgs, who is responsible for licensing in West Oxfordshire, said: "We believe these radios will assist us in being informed about incidents earlier and preventing them escalating."

Pubs have been testing out the new radio link and Insp Higgs said it had helped with several problems, ranging from fights to a man seen collapsed outside a pub.

Messages sent out over the radio system can be heard by CCTV operators at Witney police station and staff at other pubs linked to it.

There are also plans to link the pub system with an existing scheme running at shops, so that traders and landlords can swap information.

Mark Wates, owner of Nortons Cafe Bar, in Langdale Court, said he thought the radios would add to the success of the scheme in cutting drink-related problems.

"Now each licensed premises has a radio, it's a real team effort," he said.

Rodney Hartnell, manager of the Woolgate Shopping Centre, said traders had found their radio link invaluable. He said: "It's a very good system and sends out the message that people are being watched - there's nowhere to run. I think there will be benefits."