A MEETING about the Northway and Marston Police Office was cancelled when both parties 'had nothing new to say'.

Councillors from across the political spectrum were due to meet with leaders at Thames Valley Police to discuss the closure of the office – which as it is, will be shutting indefinitely in May 2019.

But, the meeting was called off last Friday by those campaigning to keep the police base open because 'all of the cards are already on the table'.

Peter West of Headington and Marston Neighbourhood Forum, who penned the first letter signed by community groups, councillors and residents urging the force to reverse the decision to shut the base, said: “I, and a number of councillors, were due to meet the TVP base today to discuss progress, it dawned on me that we had already put all of our cards on the table and really had nothing more to add to what had already been said."

Mr West added: “Similarly, I checked with the TVP and they were in the process of checking costs of the accommodation of other Oxford Neighbourhood Teams and had nothing to add either, so we agreed to cancel the meeting.”

“I’m not sure what the effects the costs of the other office areas have on the costs of the Marston Office, other than to say they are the same, higher or lower."

It is understood that Thames Valley Police rents the office for £17,000.

Campaigners previously told the Oxford Mail this is a 'tiny amount' of money.

Thames Valley Police press office said of the closure that ‘bricks and mortar have little to do with policing’.

But locals say the office reassures residents and provides a visible deterrent to criminals.

According to the Police UK crime map, in August this year 214 crimes were reported in north east Oxford.

A spokesperson at Thames Valley Police last told the Oxford Mail: “In the last eight years, a number of measures have been put in place by Thames Valley Police to reduce estate costs while being committed to protecting the frontline.

“We continue to work with partners to explore opportunities for co-location, other cost reductions or service delivery initiatives.

“However, bricks and mortar has little to do with policing: we want to ensure that neighbourhood officers spend more time in the community."