Life on an Oxford estate once dogged by crime, joyriding and drugs has been given the thumbs-up by its residents.

A recent survey highlighting the worst things about living in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys showed two-thirds of those polled thought everything was fine.

At the same time, police statistics show overall crime - including car theft and robbery - has dropped almost 14 per cent in a year.

Paul Whitman, manager of Deltey's Supermarket in Blackbird Leys Road, said: "We have not had any incidents for a long time. Personally, I've lived here all my life and always felt safe.

"The reputation Blackbird Leys has is from other people who don't live on the estate and have never ever been here. But I think people are more happy living here these days."

Claire Gibbons, assistant manager at Spar in Dunnock Way, said: "Where I live you used to see burnt-out cars all the time. That doesn't happen now.

"Now it is really quiet and everywhere you go is safe these days. You can walk around Blackbird Leys without being threatened. I don't know if it is all the Police community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Antisocial Behaviour Orders that have had an effect.

"Years ago, you got kids outside and inside the shop causing trouble. I can't remember the last time that happened."

Lee Cole, Leys city councillor and chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, said: "It's a pleasant neighbourhood. I think life on the estate has improved.

"The reputation should have improved too, but there are a lot of people out there who think it is still the joyriding days of the 1990s.

"It is one of the better estates these days. Things go in a cycle."

The survey was carried out by the Leys Neighbourhood Action Group (Nag) which is made up of police, councils and housing associations.

PCSOs held a door-to-door survey in areas where they have received reports of trouble and Park Rangers quizzed people using the local parks.

Out of 238 people who replied, 68 said nothing was wrong on the estate and 112 reported no specific issues.

There were 42 people who listed specific problems and 16 miscellaneous answers.

Police statistics show between April 2005 and February 2006 and the same period in 2006 and 2007, burglaries dropped six per cent, vehicle crime fell 31 per cent, and robberies went down by 26 per cent.

Meanwhile criminal damage dropped by 20 per cent, bicycle thefts were down 25 per cent and incidents of arson fell by 38 per cent.

Leys county councillor Val Smith, a Leys Nag committee member, said: "It takes time, but I believe we are getting there."

Leys Insp Phil Standish said: "In my conversations with residents it is clear the perceived fear of crime is worse than the reality and the Nag must start tackling this issue too."

Tackling drugs crime remains the number one issue on the estate, Mr Standish added.

The Nag consults residents three times a year and works to resolve issues raised by residents.