Bicester Rural

Burglary Crime Prevention and Reduction Advice

Location Focus:
•Middleton Stoney
•Somerton
•Lower Heyford
•Heyford Park

This priority reflects ongoing concerns about burglary, attempted break ins and suspicious activity in rural villages, where the impact on residents can be particularly significant. We will publish monthly updates outlining activity and progress.

Why This Priority Was Chosen

Residents and parish councils raised repeated concerns during the consultation about:
•Suspicious vehicles and unfamiliar persons in quiet rural lanes
•Outbuilding and shed break ins
•Theft of tools, bicycles, and agricultural equipment
•Concerns about vulnerability of isolated homes and farms
•Requests for clearer crime prevention advice and increased visibility

Recent crime reports and intelligence submissions from the public support these concerns, particularly around the Heyford area and outlying villages.

What We Will Do Over the next 3 months

High-Visibility Patrols and Reassurance

•Targeted uniformed patrols across the listed villages
•Patrols aligned to peak risk periods
•Reassurance visits following reported incidents or suspicious activity

Burglary Prevention and Engagement

•Delivery of crime prevention advice during patrols and community events
•Engagement with Parish Councils and Neighbourhood Watch groups
•Promotion of simple but effective measures to reduce risk
Intelligence and Offender Focus
•Identification and monitoring of suspected and known offenders
•Use of intelligence to disrupt offending and inform patrol plans
•Coordination with neighbouring areas to address cross border offending

Partnership Working

•Work with:
oParish Councils
oCommunity Safety Partnerships
oHousing providers where relevant
•Joint problem solving at repeat locations or where vulnerability is identified

Burglary Prevention Advice for Residents

Secure Your Home

•Lock doors and windows, even when at home or in the garden
•Use high quality locks and consider deadlocks on doors
•Secure garages, sheds, and outbuildings

Make Your Home Look Occupied if away

•Use timer switches for lights
•Cancel deliveries or ask a neighbour to take them in
•Consider trusted neighbours keeping an eye on your property

Protect Valuables

•Avoid leaving valuables on display
•Secure ladders and tools that could be used to gain access
•Mark and register property where possible
Vehicles
•Lock vehicles and remove keys from sight
•Do not leave valuables inside cars
•Park in well lit areas where possible

How You Can Help

Report Promptly
•Online: www.thamesvalley.police.uk
•Non emergency: 101
•Emergency: 999 if a burglary is in progress or there is immediate risk
Share Information
•Report suspicious vehicles or individuals
•Submit CCTV or doorbell footage
•Tell us about patterns or concerns in your area
Get Involved
•Join or support Neighbourhood Watch
•Look out for neighbours, particularly those who may be vulnerable
•Share crime prevention advice within your community

Bicester Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team remains committed to working with residents to prevent burglary, protect property, and keep our rural communities safe and secure.

Drug Dealing and Drug Misuse
Following a public consultation and online survey during May 2026, the community has identified drug dealing and drug misuse as a priority concern within:
•Ambrosden
•Arncott
•Gravenhill
•Wendlebury
•Kingsmere

Residents have raised concerns about suspected drug supply, visible drug use, and the associated impact on anti social behaviour, safety, and community confidence. In response, the Bicester Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team will deliver a targeted, intelligence led response over the next three months.

Feedback from residents and partners highlighted:
•Suspected street level drug dealing in residential areas and open spaces
•Drug misuse in public places, impacting families and vulnerable people
•Links between drug activity and anti social behaviour, disorder, and exploitation
•Concerns about repeat locations and individuals
•A desire for visible policing, enforcement, and safeguarding support

What We Will Do over the next 3 months

Intelligence Led Patrols and Visibility

•Increased high visibility patrols in Ambrosden, Arncott, Gravenhill, Wendlebury, and Kingsmere

•Patrols focused on identified hotspot locations and peak times
•Use of plain clothes officers where appropriate to identify and disrupt dealing activity

Tackling Drug Dealing and Misuse

•Identification and targeting of suspected dealers and repeat offenders
•Proportionate use of stop and search powers under PACE where grounds exist
•Arrest and investigation where evidential thresholds are met

Safeguarding and Vulnerability

•Identify and safeguard vulnerable adults and young people linked to drug misuse
•Work with:
oSubstance misuse services
oCherwell District Council
oHousing providers
oAdult and child safeguarding partners
•Referrals into support and treatment services where appropriate

Use of Powers and Orders

Where necessary and proportionate, we will consider:
•Warrants for premises linked to drug supply
•Closure Orders for addresses causing serious nuisance or disorder
•Community Protection Notices (CPNs) for associated behaviour
•Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) for persistent offenders upon conviction

Partnership Problem Solving

•Information sharing with partners to address root causes
•Coordinated responses to emerging trends
Community Engagement and Reassurance
•Engagement with residents and local groups during patrols
•Reassurance visits where concerns are raised
•Regular updates via Thames Valley Police communication channels

How You Can Help

Report Drug Related Concerns
Your information is vital in building an accurate intelligence picture:
•Online: www.thamesvalley.police.uk
•Non emergency: 101
•Emergency: 999 if there is immediate risk or a crime in progress
You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Provide Useful Information

•Times and locations of suspected activity
•Descriptions of people or vehicles involved
•CCTV, doorbell, or mobile phone footage where available

Support Community Safety

•Report concerns about vulnerability or exploitation

Bicester Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to tackling drug dealing and misuse, protecting vulnerable people, and working with communities to improve safety and quality of life across Ambrosden, Arncott, Gravenhill, Wendlebury, and Kingsmere.

Trailer theft and Plant/machinery Theft

Following a public consultation and online survey during May 2026, the rural community has identified trailer theft and plant/machinery theft as a key priority across the Bicester Rural area.

Farmers, landowners, and rural businesses have highlighted the significant financial and operational impact of these offences.

In response, the Bicester Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team will focus on prevention, intelligence-led enforcement, and partnership working over the next three months to reduce offending and protect rural livelihoods.

Engagement with the rural community identified:
•Ongoing theft of trailers, agricultural plant, and machinery
•Offenders targeting isolated and rural locations, often overnight
•Use of organised methods, including towing equipment away quickly
•Low reporting in some cases, limiting intelligence development
•A strong desire for visible policing presence and preventative advice

What We Will Do over the next 3 months
Targeted Patrols and Rural Visibility
•Increased high-visibility patrols across key rural locations, including farms, industrial units, and known hotspots
•Patrols timed to peak offending periods, particularly evenings and overnight
•Use of both local NPT officers and wider resources where available

Intelligence-Led Disruption

•Identification and targeting of priority offenders and organised groups
•Development of intelligence
•Use of ANPR, stop checks, and vehicle intelligence to disrupt suspect activity
•Work with neighbouring policing areas and the Rural Crime Taskforce to tackle cross-border offending

Crime Prevention and Target Hardening

•Delivery of practical crime prevention advice, including:
oSecure storage and immobilisation of trailers and plant
oUse of forensic marking and tracking systems
oImproved lighting and CCTV coverage
•Promotion of recognised schemes such as:
oCESAR (Equipment Register)
oProperty marking initiatives

Partnership Working

•Collaboration with:
oNFU (National Farmers’ Union)
oRural WhatsApp Groups
oLocal landowners and rural businesses
oNeighbouring forces and Rural Crime Taskforce

Enforcement and Use of Powers

Where appropriate and proportionate:
•Stop and search under PACE where grounds exist
•Seizure of suspected stolen property
•Arrest and investigation of offences linked to theft and handling stolen goods
•Use of appropriate court outcomes, including applications for Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) for persistent offenders

Community Engagement and Communication

•Regular engagement with rural communities, including farm visits and local meetings
•Sharing alerts and prevention advice through Rural WhatsApp Groups
•Encouraging prompt reporting to build an accurate intelligence picture

How You Can Help

Report Incidents and Suspicious Activity
Prompt reporting is critical in tackling rural crime:
•Online: Thames Valley Police website (www.thamesvalley.police.uk)
•Non-emergency: 101
•Emergency: 999 (if a crime is in progress or immediate risk exists)
You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).
Protect Your Property
•Secure trailers and machinery using locks, chains, and immobilisers
•Remove keys and store equipment out of sight where possible
•Use tracking devices and forensic marking
Share Information
•Report suspicious vehicles or unfamiliar activity in rural areas
•Provide CCTV or dashcam footage where available
•Share intelligence through local Rural WhatsApp Groups

Bicester Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to protecting rural communities, reducing theft, and working with partners and residents to safeguard property and livelihoods across the area.