Oxford City Council has seized control of a community centre in Blackbird Leys after one of its officers was threatened.

Police were called to the Blackbird Leys Youth and Community Centre, which is run by a community association made up of local people.

A city council spokesman said a member of the association verbally abused a council officer, resulting in the keys being confiscated.

The council, which owns the building, will now decide if and when to return control to residents.

Council spokesman Annette Cunningham said: “The incident involved a member of staff being subjected to intimidating and aggressive behaviour by a member of the Leys Community Association.

“The police have been notified and Oxford City Council is regrettably withdrawing its support for the Leys Community Association having responsibility for the running of Blackbird Leys Youth and Community Centre.”

She added: “We would like to thank the users for their understanding at this difficult time and for the positive contribution they make to Oxford’s communities.”

Dozens of local organisations, including youth clubs, the Blackbird Leys Boxing Club, employment groups, an IT club and the estate parish council use the building in Blackbird Leys Road.

It was originally run by residents but managed by the city council for several years after criticism in 2004, following two stabbings there, one of which was fatal.

Last year the council announced it would hand control over to residents again, and the association became a registered charity in March.

But on August 2, it is believed a disagreement between residents on the group descended into a row, in which council officers intervened.

The Oxford Mail understands two council officers were then verbally abused and threatened.

Leys city councillor Val Smith said: “We have got this problem at the moment but we will sort it out and get the association functioning again as soon as we possibly can.”

She said the immediate priority was working towards a fun day, which was being organised by the community association, on September 29.

This is now being organised by the city council, but she assured residents it would go ahead as planned.

Sgt Rob Axe, from the Leys Neighbourhood Team, confirmed offiers were called to a “verbal disagreement” at the centre.

He said a police officer had spoken to a woman from the council, but that “no offences had been disclosed”.

Last night, community association chairman Gerry Webb said he was unable to go into details.

He said: “There was a situation which developed, which unfortunately for legal reasons I can’t really say anything about. It was a course of action which had to be taken and a great shame.”

He said everyone involved would work hard to get the association running the community centre again.