PARISH councillors on Oxford’s largest estate have appealed to the new coalition Government to consider a community court for Blackbird Leys.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council has been considering lobbying for a community justice project to be rolled out on the estate, at their monthly meetings.

As part of the scheme, operating in 11 UK cities, judges or magistrates meet regularly with community members to discover the effect of crime on their neighbourhoods.

The community can also suggest tasks that can be carried out by offenders who have been sentenced to carry out unpaid work.

Parish councillors were due to discuss the idea at their April meeting, but felt they had insufficient information on the scheme.

Speaking at the May meeting last week, chairman Gerry Webb, said: “I don’t think it was ever aimed at areas like ours, but I’ve looked through the information and I think it could be a good idea – I think it has got potential.”

He added: “We will have to wait for the new Government to decide what it’s going to do about it, because it could all change.

“We need to know what the infrastructure will be, what the methodology is going to be and how we are going to be involved.

“But we want the Government to consider us.

“I don’t think it’s needed on Blackbird Leys more than anywhere else, but I think with community involvement the community court could be effective.”

Last night Ministry of Justice spokesman Yasser Mehmood said: “We are in the very early stages of a new Government and ministers will wish to consider the full range of justice policy.”

Jimmy Hayes, 71, of Windale Avenue, Blackbird Leys, suffered years of antisocial behaviour while he waited for an alleyway running past his home to be gated off by Oxfordshire County Council.

He said: “I think it would be a very good idea indeed.

“It’s very important to involve people in the immediate area because the wrong has been done to them.”

The idea began in New York and the first British community justice centre was set up under the Labour government in 2005.

The scheme was extended in 2006 and the Government is currently trialling community court projects across the UK, including Cornwall, Birmingham and London.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk