The heads of three East Oxford families embroiled in a dispute which has seen police called to a string of violent offences have agreed to seek professional counselling.

And Thames Valley Police is considering paying for the sessions.

Insp Brian Cooper said: "A decision has to be made whether we pay for Oxford Mediation Services to carry that out.

"Because of the quite deep problems, I think it's going to be a substantial financial commitment. But I will do everything I can to push that mediation forward and hopefully we will resolve what has been a long-standing problem."

Last July a man was seriously injured after being attacked with a cricket bat and in the latest flare-up, on Friday, January 18, a man was left with eight stitches in his head after a fight in the street involving a crowbar.

Insp Cooper, who was speaking at a meeting of Oxford City Council's east area parliament on Wednesday, March 19 said investigations into a number of incidents had been hampered by people within the close-knit Pakistani community, from which all three families come, refusing to co-operate.

Just one case went to court - when a young man was given a £50 fine after pleading guilty to making threats to kill - as it was witnessed by three members of Oxford City Council who gave evidence.

Three people are on police bail in relation to the incident on January 18 and a decision on whether or not anyone will be charged is likely to be taken by the end of the month.

6:53pm Monday 24th March 2008

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