Bicester Town

Drug dealing and Misuse - Bicester Town Centre

Following a public consultation and online survey during May 2026, the community has reaffirmed that drug dealing and drug misuse remain significant concerns in:

•Bicester Town Centre
•Launton Road including Garth Park and overbridge

Residents have reported concerns around visible drug use, suspected dealing activity, and the associated impact on safety and public confidence.

In response, the Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will take a focused, intelligence-led approach over the next three months.
Feedback from residents, businesses, and partner agencies highlighted:
•Suspected street-level drug dealing in key locations
•Drug misuse in public spaces, particularly Garth Park and surrounding areas
•Associated anti-social behaviour, violence, and exploitation risks
•Concerns about vulnerable individuals involved in or affected by drug use

The Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team continues to address community concerns relating to drug misuse and drug dealing in Bicester Town Centre.

Using information provided by local residents, officers have been carrying out targeted high-visibility patrols in areas where the public have reported suspected drug-related activity. This evidence-based approach has seen officers regularly patrolling locations including Manorsfield Road, Pioneer Square and Deans Court.

On 19th July, officers attended Deans Court following reports of a male who had collapsed and was lying on the ground. Three concerned members of the public remained with the individual and contacted emergency services.
Our colleagues from South Central Ambulance Service attended promptly to provide medical care. While officers remained on scene in support, attention was drawn to several large bags the male had been carrying. A subsequent search resulted in the discovery of a significant quantity of suspected drugs.

Following medical treatment, a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Possession with Intent to Supply controlled drugs. He has since been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

This positive outcome was a direct result of information received from members of the public and highlights the importance of reporting concerns to Thames Valley Police. Every piece of information helps us build a clearer picture of local issues, direct our patrols effectively and take action against those involved in criminal activity.

We would encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour or has information about drug misuse or dealing in their area to report it.
Your information can make a real difference in helping us keep Bicester Town Centre safe.
To report information, visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk, call 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
You said, we did: Community concerns about drug activity in Bicester Town Centre led to targeted patrols and proactive policing in identified hotspot locations, resulting in the arrest of a man on suspicion of Possession with Intent to Supply controlled drugs and the seizure of a significant quantity of suspected drugs.

Retail Crime – Bicester Town Centre

This priority focuses on continued concerns raised by local businesses regarding shoplifting, abuse of staff, organised retail theft and associated anti social behaviour within the town centre.

We will provide monthly updates on activity, outcomes and emerging trends across the three month period.
Why This Priority Was Chosen

During the consultation, retailers and members of the public highlighted:
•Persistent shoplifting affecting independent and national stores
•Aggressive or threatening behaviour towards staff and security
•Groups targeting multiple premises in a single day
•Losses impacting local businesses and community confidence

We also considered recent incident data and intelligence from the Bicester Retail Crime Partnership and Cherwell District Council.

Tackling retail crime remains a key priority for the Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team, and we continue to work closely with retailers, security staff and partner agencies to prevent offending, identify suspects and bring offenders to justice.

Over the past month, officers have strengthened partnership working with local businesses as part of a coordinated approach to reducing shop theft across the town centre. We recently held a productive meeting with Sainsbury's and Mitie Security to discuss how we can work more effectively together to identify offenders, share information and support investigations. Through joint working between the Neighbourhood Policing Team and the dedicated Retail Crime Team, we are continuing to target those responsible for committing retail thefts and causing harm to local businesses.

Officers have been working hard with stores across Bicester to identify offenders and build evidence to support prosecutions. Alongside enforcement activity, we are also working with partner agencies to address the root causes of offending. In particular, where young people are involved, we are seeking opportunities to provide diversionary interventions aimed at steering them away from criminality and reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

During the last month, the team has arrested a number of prolific offenders linked to retail crime in the town centre.

Whilst decisions regarding sentencing remain a matter for the courts, we are progressing several Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) applications against repeat offenders. These orders are designed to provide longer-term protection for businesses and the wider community by placing restrictions on those who repeatedly engage in criminal behaviour and helping to reduce future offending.

On 29th May, the team also conducted a Live Facial Recognition (LFR) operation on Sheep Street, Bicester, to support efforts to identify wanted offenders and those linked to criminality in the area. We recognise that the use of Live Facial Recognition technology can be an emotive subject within communities and that some members of the public may have concerns regarding its use. However, when used lawfully and proportionately, it is a highly effective policing tool that helps officers identify wanted individuals and protect the public. This operation proved particularly successful, resulting in four arrests during the deployment.

We are also actively seeking two prolific shoplifting offenders who are currently wanted on Fail to Appear Warrants issued by the courts. In addition to these warrants, both individuals are linked to a number of outstanding shoplifting offences that will be placed before the court when they are located and arrested.

We would like to thank our retail partners for their continued support and cooperation. The information, evidence and intelligence they provide play a vital role in helping us identify offenders, secure positive outcomes and keep Bicester's businesses safe.

You Said, We Did
You said: Repeat shoplifting and retail crime were affecting businesses in Bicester Town Centre.
We did: We strengthened partnership working with retailers and security providers, conducted a successful Live Facial Recognition operation resulting in four arrests, arrested several prolific offenders, progressed Criminal Behaviour Order applications and continue to actively pursue offenders wanted by the courts.
If you witness retail crime or have information about offenders targeting businesses in Bicester, please report it to Thames Valley Police via 101 or online at www.thamesvalley.police.uk. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Every report helps us build intelligence, identify offenders and focus our resources where they are needed most.

Anti Social Behaviour (ASB)

Location Focus:
•Bicester Town Centre
•Launton Road
•Garth Park including the Overbridge

What the Community Told Us

We engaged with residents through an online survey and direct consultation.

The consistent feedback identified:
•Ongoing issues with youth-related ASB, including disorder, noise, and intimidation
•Concerns about public spaces feeling unsafe, particularly during evenings
•A desire for increased police visibility and engagement

Addressing anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Bicester Town Centre remains a priority for the Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team. We understand the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on residents, businesses and visitors, and we continue to work closely with our partners to ensure the town centre remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

Over the past month, officers have continued to conduct high-visibility patrols in key locations across the town centre. These patrols have been supported by our colleagues from the Cherwell District Council Community Safety Team, allowing us to take a coordinated and effective approach to tackling issues identified by the community.

As well as providing reassurance and engaging with members of the public, officers and Community Safety colleagues have carried out a number of targeted disruption patrols focused on individuals responsible for anti-social behaviour. These proactive patrols have enabled us to address issues early, prevent escalation and reduce the negative impact on the wider community.

The team has also made use of powers available under the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place within Bicester Town Centre. During this period, multiple PSPO warnings and directions to leave the area have been issued by both the Neighbourhood Policing Team and Community Safety Team to individuals whose behaviour was causing concern. Where individuals have failed to comply, enforcement action has been taken, with two Fixed Penalty Notices issued for breaches of the PSPO.

In addition to enforcement activity, we have taken positive steps to prevent repeat offending. Several Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) have been served on individuals involved in anti-social behaviour within the town centre. These agreements are designed to clearly set out expected standards of behaviour and provide an opportunity for individuals to make positive changes before more formal interventions become necessary.

We also have several ongoing investigations relating to incidents within the Sainsbury's car park, including reports of fire extinguishers being discharged and damage being caused to lifts. Following detailed CCTV enquiries, suspects have been identified and will be interviewed by officers from the Neighbourhood Team regarding their involvement. We will continue to pursue these investigations and seek appropriate outcomes where offences have been committed.

Alongside enforcement and investigation work, we remain committed to prevention and early intervention. The team has been working closely with local schools, Cherwell District Council and other partner agencies to engage with young people and address issues before they escalate.
Alongside enforcement and investigation work, we remain committed to prevention and early intervention. The team has been working closely with local schools, Cherwell District Council and other partner agencies to engage with young people and address issues before they escalate.

As pupils return to school in September, officers from the Neighbourhood Team will be working alongside education partners to deliver school assemblies and engagement sessions focused on relevant local issues, community safety and current crime trends. These sessions are not about criminalising young people; they are about providing information, guidance and support to help children and young people make informed decisions, stay safe and understand the consequences of harmful behaviour.

The assemblies will also provide an opportunity for young people to meet their local neighbourhood officers, learn how to report concerns or seek help when needed, and build trust and confidence in policing. By working together with schools and partner agencies, we aim to foster positive relationships, improve awareness of local issues and support young people in making positive choices within their communities.

You Said, We did: Increased high-visibility patrols with Cherwell District Council Community Safety officers, carried out targeted disruption activity, issued multiple PSPO warnings and directions to leave, served Acceptable Behaviour Contracts on individuals involved in ASB, issued two Fixed Penalty Notices for PSPO breaches, progressed investigations into incidents at Sainsbury's car park, and continued working with schools and partner agencies to develop positive educational and early intervention initiatives that will be delivered when students return in September.