Top cop Sara Thornton went back on the beat in Abingdon to find out how neighbourhood policing has clamped down on troublesome youths.

Ms Thornton, Thames Valley Police Acting Chief Constable, also found out about a forthcoming Nightsafe scheme in the town, to cut down on alcohol related violence.

Her patrol yesterday included the Reynolds Way shops, which will soon be covered by a dispersal zone, which will give police powers to move on rowdy groups of youths from a designated area.

If they refuse, they can be arrested, prosecuted and could be fined or jailed for up to three months.

Ms Thornton was shown around the area by her colleague Sgt Andy Cranidge, who is in charge of the local Neighbourhood Action Group.

Ms Thornton said: "Neighbourhood policing is one of the top priorities for me, and there is nothing better than seeing how it is working on the ground.

"Because there are CCTV cameras in this area, you can see it happening."

Ms Thornton said it was not just about moving youths on, but about finding constructive things for young people to do.

Shoba Parshad, owner of the Premier supermarket in Reynolds Way, said: "Youths stand around here and people are scared of them. I think the police are already doing something about it."

June Hicks, manager of the Post Office based in Martin's Newsagents, said: "There used to be a lot of trouble but what the police are doing around here is having something of an effect."

Ms Thornton was also shown an alleyway, near Reynolds Way, filled with car parts, tyres, nails, broken glass and rubbish.

She said: "This is what we call a signal event - it signals an absence of order, and causes disruption and concerns about safety.

"I was saying to Sgt Cranidge we should sort it out, get the council to block it off."

Pc Gary French, a neighbourhood police officer in Abingdon, showed Ms Thornton plans for a Nightsafe scheme in the town.

A Nightsafe scheme in Oxford is up and running to curb booze and drug fuelled violence in the city centre.