NEW crime figures have helped dispel “negative attitudes” about an Oxford estate, a community leader has claimed.

Peter Wilkinson, chairman of the Rose Hill Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, believes statistics released by the Home Office prove Rose Hill is “on the up” and one of the safest parts of the city to live.

On Monday we revealed the extent of crime in the city using figures for December last year, which were released as part of a nationwide scheme to let people discover the truth about where they live.

The most crime-ridden neighbourhood in Oxford was the city centre, with 435 incidents and more than 40 crimes per 1,000 people.

But Rose Hill and Iffley had 37 incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour and recorded 7.41 crimes per 1,000 people.

Mr Wilkinson said: “I hope the latest crime figures will help to dispel the negative attitude some people still feel about Rose Hill, it is now one of the safest places in Oxford.

“Police, PCSOs and street wardens have all played a major part in this transformation.

“Full credit also must go to the youth club, both staff and users, without this facility young people would have nothing to do on the estate.”

The maps, available on police.uk, were unveiled by Home Secretary Theresa May earlier this month.

She said the site, which cost £300,000 to develop, came “from a real feeling that people have lost confidence in national crime figures”.

Mr Wilkinson, of Thames View Road, added: “Rose Hill has a wonderful mix of ethnic groups and faith groups, also a mixture of sometimes long-established residents and welcome newcomers into the new housing.

“Not all is perfect. There are a few grot spots which need enforcement, appalling road surfaces and a general lack of amenities.

“Overall, however, there is a general feeling that Rose Hill is very much on the up, and I am happy to be a resident within this community.”

Gordon Roper, chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, said he was also pleased with how his home estate fared.

Blackbird Leys was the seventh most crime-ridden neighbourhood in Oxford in December, recording 125 incidents and 14.99 crimes per 1,000 people.

Littlemore, Barton and Cowley all figured higher up in the list.

Mr Roper said: “I was pleasantly surprised because of all the bad publicity Blackbird Leys can get.

“Crime happens everywhere, and we know the estate isn’t perfect, but these figures definitely show our neighbourhood is not what people think it is.”

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk