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

What We Will Do over the next 3 months

Intelligence-Led Patrols and Disruption

•High-visibility patrols in identified hotspot areas
•Targeted patrols at peak times based on intelligence and incident data
•Use of plain clothes officers to identify and disrupt dealing activity
•Stop and search powers used where lawful and proportionate

Targeting Offenders

•Identification and prioritisation of suspected dealers and repeat offenders
•Use of warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 where thresholds are met
•Arrest and robust investigation of offences, with focus on supply as well as possession

Partnership and Safeguarding Approach

•Work with:
oCherwell District Council
oSubstance misuse services
oHousing providers
oAdult and child safeguarding teams
•Identify and support vulnerable individuals, including those at risk of exploitation (e.g. cuckooing)
•Referral into treatment and support services where appropriate

Use of Orders and Powers
Where necessary and proportionate:

•Closure Orders for premises linked to drug activity
•Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) for persistent offenders
•Community Protection Notices (CPNs) for related anti-social behaviour
•Dispersal powers in hotspot locations where issues escalate

Community Engagement and Reassurance

•Regular engagement with residents and park users
•Visits to local businesses and community groups
•Sharing updates via Thames Valley Police channels
•Encourage reporting to improve intelligence picture

How You Can Help

Report Suspicious Activity

Your information is vital in tackling drug-related harm:

•Online: Thames Valley Police website (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 (0800 555 111).

Provide Useful Information

•Descriptions of individuals, vehicles, and behaviour
•Times and locations of suspected activity
•Any CCTV or doorbell footage where available
Support Community Safety
•Report concerns about vulnerability or exploitation
•Engage with officers during patrols
•Support local initiatives to improve safety in shared spaces

Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to tackling drug-related harm, protecting vulnerable people, and ensuring that public spaces remain safe and accessible for everyone.

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.

Following a public consultation and online survey conducted during May 2026, the community has reaffirmed that retail crime remains a key concern within Bicester Town Centre.

Businesses, staff, and residents have highlighted the impact of shoplifting, repeat offending, and associated anti-social behaviour.

In response, the Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team will prioritise problem-solving activity, enforcement, and partnership working over the next three months to reduce offending and support local retailers.

What We Will Do

High-Visibility and Targeted Patrols

•Increased uniformed patrols within Bicester Town Centre, focusing on peak retail hours
•Deployment of plain clothes officers to identify and disrupt active offenders
•Regular engagement visits to key retail premises
Proactive Offender Management

•Identification and targeting of repeat and high-harm offenders
•Development of offender profiles using intelligence and crime data
•Use of voluntary interviews, arrests where evidential thresholds are met

•Progression of cases through the criminal justice process

Partnership Problem-Solving

•Strengthen working relationships with:

oRetailers and store security teams
oCherwell District Council

•Support and encourage participation in retail crime information-sharing schemes

•Joint problem-solving plans for persistent locations and offenders
Use of Civil and Criminal Powers
Where proportionate and necessary, the following measures will be considered:

•Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) for repeat offenders upon conviction
•Community Protection Notices (CPNs) where behaviour meets the threshold
•Bail conditions and remand considerations for persistent offenders
Prevention and Engagement

•Provide retailers with crime prevention advice, including evidence capture and reporting standards
•Promote good practice around:

oCCTV usage
oStaff awareness and safety

How You Can Help

Report All Incidents
Accurate reporting is essential to identify patterns and take action:
•Online: Thames Valley Police website (www.thamesvalley.police.uk)
•Non-emergency: 101
•Emergency: 999 (where a crime is in progress or there is risk of harm)
Work in Partnership
•Engage with local officers and attend retailer meetings where possible
•Participate in information-sharing initiatives such as Cherwell Crime Partnership
•Implement crime prevention measures within stores

Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to supporting local businesses, reducing retail crime, and ensuring the Town Centre remains a safe and welcoming environment for all.

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

Following a public consultation and online survey conducted during May 2026, residents have clearly reaffirmed that anti-social behaviour (ASB) remains a key concern.

The community has asked the Bicester Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) to continue focusing on:
•Bicester Town Centre
•Launton Road including Garth Park and The overbridge

In response, the team has committed to targeted activity over the next three months, working alongside partners and the community to reduce ASB, improve safety, and increase visible policing.

What We Will Do

High-Visibility Patrols
•Regular uniformed foot patrols in the Town Centre, Garth Park, Launton Road, and the overbridge
•Targeted patrols at peak times identified through data and community feedback
•Use of both high-visibility and plain clothes officers where appropriate
Targeted Problem-Solving Activity
•Identify repeat locations and individuals linked to ASB

•Work in partnership with:

oCherwell District Council
oHousing associations
oYouth services

•Use appropriate interventions, including:

oAcceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs)
oCommunity Protection Warnings/Notices (CPWs/CPNs)
oEscalation to enforcement where necessary

Engagement with Young People

•Engagement with schools and youth groups
•Use early intervention to address root causes of behaviour
•Promote positive activities and diversion opportunities in partnership with local services

Use of Police Powers

Where justified, officers will consider:

•Public Space Protection Order powers
•Arrest and prosecution for offences where thresholds are met

Community Engagement and Visibility

•Attend community meetings and local events
•Conduct regular engagement visits with businesses and residents
•Provide updates via Thames Valley Police website and social media

How You Can Help

The community plays a vital role in helping us identify and tackle ASB effectively.

Report Incidents

Please continue to report ASB so we can build an accurate picture and deploy resources appropriately:

•Online: Thames Valley Police website (www.thamesvalley.police.uk)
•Non-emergency: Call 101
•Emergency: Call 999 if a crime is in progress or someone is at risk

Provide Information

•Tell us about repeat locations, times, and individuals
•Share information with local officers and PCSOs when you see them on patrol

The Bicester Neighbourhood Police team remained committed to reducing anti-social behaviour and keeping our shared spaces safe, welcoming, and accessible for all.