THE jangle of keys could become a regular feature outside Blackbird Leys’ tower blocks after police were granted better access to the buildings.

Two sets of keys to Windrush Tower and Evenlode Tower’s communal areas have been cut for Thames Valley Police officers to get in and out.

Although both towers date back to the 1960s, this is the first time local police officers have had their own keys.

Previously officers were given access to the tower remotely by staff at the ‘Bravo Victor’ control room in St Aldate’s Police Station, which can access cameras and security systems.

Police Community Support Officer Alex Benjamin said: “We have always been able to get into the towers when we needed to, but it’s good to have something tangible to use ourselves.

“There have been times where the system hasn’t worked properly.

“Now we can get in straight away. We use the keys all the time and and have added the towers onto our patrol. We are specifically going in in the early evening, when problems seem to happen.

“Most people in the towers are happy about it and feel reassured.

“In the past some people were scared to report crimes due to repercussions, and they say it’s nice we can now come up to them.”

Mr Benjamin, 24, who has worked in Blackbird Leys for about four years, added that new keys may be provided for Oxford’s three other tower blocks in the future.

Each of the towers has 60 flats.

On average, police receive callouts to two or three incidents in the towers a week.

According to Thames Valley Police, there has been a spate of antisocial behaviour in the towers in recent months, with youths using them as a place to meet and take drugs.

One teenage boy has been given an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC), an early intervention used when young people have been misbehaving, and police have met with his parents.

Speaking at a meeting of Blackbird Leys Parish Council last week, Oxford city councillor Linda Smith said: “I have had some meetings with the Safer Neighbourhoods team about security in the tower blocks.

“There was talk about introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order to fine anyone coming into the towers who didn’t have a reason to be there. Now offenders will be signed onto ABCs.

“I was really shocked that the police didn’t have a key to get into the towers, and that has now been rectified.”

Windrush Tower resident Sarah Hopkins, 29, said: “On many occasions when the lifts haven’t been working the police have had to use the stairs. There are kids on the stairwell drinking and smoking.”

The mother-of-one added: “I think them getting keys is a good idea. Maybe it should have been set up a long time ago.”