Free coffee and a chat with the cops

But now East Oxford’s boys and girls in blue are giving out free cups of the black stuff to boost community relations.

They’ll be popping in to Costa Coffee, George and Delia and Tick Tock in the coming weeks.

But first off they’ll be in Cafe Coco in Cowley Road, where officers will dish out coffee to passing members of the public and chat to them about their crime worries in the area.

The first Coffee with Cops event is being hosted on November 8 at 10.30am.

Neighbourhood inspector Marc Tarbit said: “Good community relations are important – so much of our work relies on community intelligence. Coffee with Cops is an excellent concept that allows us to work with local businesses to provide a relaxed and informal opportunity to meet members of our community, build relationships and discuss local issues.

“It is based on a similar scheme in Toronto. We’ve had enthusiastic support from local businesses that are keen to sponsor the event in terms of providing a venue and coffee.

“Local businesses have a vested interest in the community around them and I’m delighted they’ve been so supportive.

“This will be a great chance to meet your local team and senior officers. We extend a warm invitation to all.”

Cafe Coco owner Clinton Pugh is providing the coffee for free. He told the Oxford Mail: “I think it’s always important, if you can, to bring the community closer together.

“Cafe Coco is very much a community – it is 20 years old next year and something like that, going such a long time, is quite an institution.

“We have regulars coming in every day and people we know by name.

“The idea behind coffee shops has always been that they are places where people met to talk. The police are trying to make it a less formal relationship.

“It’s a good opportunity for people to express their concerns and let the police know what they can do to help.

“Cowley Road is sometimes portrayed as a scary place, but the reality is it’s a safe place.”