Banbury Town

Drugs - possession of and drug dealing - Banbury Town Centre and surrounding estates.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to actively tackle concerns relating to drug use and suspected drug dealing across Banbury. Officers have been engaging with residents and local businesses to gather information, respond to concerns and provide reassurance.

Targeted intelligence-led patrols have been carried out in identified hotspot areas, resulting in a number of stop searches being conducted. These proactive activities have led to the seizure of both Class A and Class B drugs, with appropriate action taken against those involved.

The team has also executed multiple Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act warrants within the town centre. These warrants resulted in arrests being made and controlled drugs being seized.

We remain committed to disrupting drug-related activity and acting on information provided by our communities. If you have concerns about drug dealing or drug misuse in your area, please continue to report it to Thames Valley Police.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) - to include E-scooters (Grimsbury / Town Centre) and ASB from street drinkers in the Town Centre

The Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to tackle anti-social behaviour across Banbury, working closely with housing providers, Cherwell District Council and other partner agencies to identify repeat locations and individuals causing concern.

As part of this work, multiple Community Protection Warnings have been issued to individuals involved in street drinking within the town centre. Officers have also taken robust action against the illegal use of e-scooters, with 18 e-scooters seized since September, and enforcement activity remains ongoing.

The team recently supported operation plans around Banbury Fair, including the use of Section 34 dispersal powers, resulting in one arrest for breaching a dispersal direction. Officers also conducted several stop searches, leading to cannabis seizures and out-of-court disposals.

In addition, the team has successfully obtained two full closure orders on properties within the town centre that were generating significant ASB reports. These properties were linked to issues including drug dealing, drug use, and providing accommodation for prolific offenders involved in shoplifting and other criminality.

We remain committed to preventing anti-social behaviour, protecting communities and taking positive action against those responsible for causing harm and disorder within Banbury.

Speeding / Traffic Offences
Speeding / traffic related offences will remain a priority for the area, as agreed at a Community Forum on the 7th October 2026.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to tackle road safety concerns across Banbury through both proactive patrols and joint operations with Roads Policing.

Most recently, officers took part in Operation Scalis, a multi-agency initiative funded by the Motor Insurers' Bureau and delivered alongside Roads Policing colleagues. The operation focused on uninsured drivers but also resulted in action being taken against a range of offences, including driving without insurance, seatbelt offences, drug driving, being drunk in charge of a vehicle, and possession of drugs within vehicles.

In addition to planned operations, neighbourhood officers continue to deal with traffic offences encountered during day-to-day patrols. Common issues identified include the illegal use of e-scooters, mobile phone use whilst driving, and other road traffic offences that place members of the public at risk.

The team has also recently been equipped with a new speed detection device, enabling regular speed enforcement activity to be carried out across the area where resources allow.

We remain committed to improving road safety, targeting offending drivers and responding to concerns raised by our communities.