Police numbers in Blackbird Leys have been boosted by a new recruit, bringing the number of PCSOs on the estate to seven.

Alex Benjamin, 21, joined the team last week and spent his first five days getting to grips with the estate.

The former Gosford Hill pupil said: “It’s been really good, the area is nowhere near as bad as its reputation.

“In my first few shifts we had to deal with welfare issues, dog fighting, and handed round posters about Halloween.

“Obviously it’s about getting into the community and letting people know we’re there.”

Mr Benjamin joins fellow PCSOs Claire Willmott, James Kachellek, Kate Hellenburgh, Barry Sheehan, Martina Stanikova and Richard Osborn.

Police Community Support Officers were introduced in 2002.

They do not have the same powers of arrest as actual police officers, but can carry out citizen’s arrests or common law arrests, to prevent a breach of the peace.

Mr Benjamin said: “The community here have been very friendly. I’ve got family here so I know the area well.

“I always wanted to be in the police, ever since I was a kid.

“When I was younger I got into a few scrapes where the police were involved and I’ve wanted to be a police officer ever since.”

The officers take a seven-week course, where they are taught self-defence and how to handle people and use police equipment.

The estate police team is based in Blackbird Leys Road.

Sgt Rob Axe, from Blackbird Leys police, said: “The PCSOs on this estate are invaluable.

“Some of them have more than four years experience here. That’s a wealth of information, experience and intelligence.”

The police team will be at Tesco’s Cowley store for an hour from noon on Tuesday, November 22, to meet members of the public.