Kidlington

Drug Dealing and Drug Misuse
Following a public consultation and online survey during August 2026, the community has identified drug dealing and drug misuse as a priority concern within:

•Exeter Close Park
•Park Hill Recreation Ground

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 Kidlington 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

Following recent Have Your Say events and feedback received through our online community survey, concerns relating to drug dealing and drug misuse within Exeter Close Park and Park Hill Recreation Ground continue to be raised by local residents.

As a result, Drug Dealing and Drug Misuse in Exeter Close Park and Park Hill Recreation Ground has been reaffirmed as a Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team priority for the period September to December 2026.

The Kidlington Neighbourhood Team recognises the impact that drug-related activity can have on the local community, including concerns around anti-social behaviour, criminality, public safety and the use of community spaces. Reports from residents indicate that these issues remain a concern, and we are committed to taking positive action to address them.

Officers will continue to conduct targeted patrols in and around Exeter Close Park and Park Hill Recreation Ground, gather intelligence, develop information regarding those involved in drug-related activity and work closely with partner agencies to reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs. Where appropriate, enforcement action will be taken against those involved in the supply and misuse of controlled drugs, alongside safeguarding measures for vulnerable individuals who may be at risk of exploitation.

Community intelligence remains vital in helping us identify offenders and understand where and when issues are occurring. We encourage residents to continue reporting information and suspicious activity to Thames Valley Police. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers.

We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with us through community meetings, events and surveys. Your feedback plays an important role in shaping local policing priorities and ensuring that our activity is focused on the issues that matter most to the community.

Further updates on activity, engagement, enforcement action and progress against this priority will be published on this webpage each month.

E-Scooters/E-Bikes

Following a public consultation and online survey during August 2026, the community has identified concerns relating to the use of e-scooters and e-bikes across Kidlington.

Issues raised include unsafe riding, illegal use on public roads and pavements, and the associated risk to pedestrians and other road users.

In response, the Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team will prioritise education, enforcement, and engagement over the next three months to improve safety and ensure compliance with legislation.

Residents, businesses, and partners highlighted:

•Unsafe riding on pavements and in pedestrian areas
•Use of privately owned e-scooters on public roads, which is unlawful
•Speeding and inconsiderate riding of e-bikes and modified cycles
•Increased risk to vulnerable pedestrians, including elderly residents and children
•A need for clear guidance and visible enforcement

Following recent Have Your Say events and feedback received through our online community survey, concerns relating to the use of e-scooters and e-bikes across Kidlington and Yarnton continue to be highlighted by residents as an issue affecting community safety and quality of life.

As a result, the use of e-scooters and e-bikes in Kidlington and Yarnton has been reaffirmed as a Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team priority for the period September to December 2026.

The Kidlington Neighbourhood Team continues to receive reports of e-scooters and e-bikes being ridden in an unsafe manner, including within pedestrian areas, parks and other public spaces. Residents have reported concerns regarding excessive speed, dangerous riding, and the risk posed to pedestrians, particularly young children, older people and other vulnerable members of the community.

Officers will continue to carry out targeted high-visibility patrols in identified locations across Kidlington and Yarnton, engaging with riders and providing education around the safe and lawful use of e-scooters and e-bikes. Where offences are identified, appropriate enforcement action will be taken.

The Neighbourhood Team will also work closely with local partners, schools, community groups and residents to raise awareness of the legislation relating to e-scooters and promote responsible use of e-bikes. Our aim is to improve safety, reduce nuisance behaviour and ensure that public spaces can be enjoyed by everyone.

We would like to thank those who have taken the time to engage with us through community meetings, events and surveys. Your feedback continues to shape our local policing priorities and helps us focus our activity on the issues that matter most to our communities.

We encourage residents to continue reporting incidents and sharing information with the Neighbourhood Team so that we can identify emerging issues and target our patrols effectively.

Further updates on activity, engagement and enforcement action relating to this priority will be published on this webpage each month.

Anti-social Behaviour

Following a public consultation and online survey conducted during August 2026, the community has identified drug dealing/misuse and anti-social behaviour (ASB) as ongoing priorities in:

•Grovelands
•Exeter Close Park
•Park Hill Recreation Ground

Residents have raised concerns regarding visible drug activity, associated ASB, and the impact on community safety and quality of life. In response, the Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will deliver a coordinated, intelligence-led plan over the next three months to reduce harm and improve public confidence.

What the Community Told Us

Feedback from residents and partners identified:

•Suspected drug dealing and drug use in open spaces, particularly parks
•Associated anti-social behaviour, including gatherings causing nuisance, disorder, and intimidation
•Concerns for young people and vulnerable individuals being drawn into harmful behaviours
•A desire for increased visible policing and early intervention
•Ongoing issues at repeat locations during evenings and weekends

Following recent Have Your Say events and feedback received through our online community survey, concerns relating to anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the Grovelands area, Exeter Close Park and Park Hill Recreation Ground have been identified as a significant issue for local residents.

As a result, Anti-Social Behaviour in Grovelands, Exeter Close Park and Park Hill Recreation Ground has been adopted as a new Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team priority for the period September to December 2026.

The Kidlington Neighbourhood Team understands the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on the community, creating nuisance, causing distress to residents and negatively affecting the enjoyment of public spaces. Feedback from residents has highlighted concerns regarding groups gathering in these areas, nuisance behaviour, criminal damage, littering and other conduct that undermines community confidence.

Officers will continue to conduct targeted high-visibility patrols in identified hotspot locations, engage with local residents and young people, and work closely with partner agencies, including Cherwell District Council and local youth services, to address the issues raised by the community. Where appropriate, enforcement action will be taken against those responsible for persistent anti-social behaviour.

The Neighbourhood Team is committed to using a problem-solving approach, combining prevention, engagement and enforcement to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the safety and wellbeing of residents using these community spaces.

Information from the public plays a vital role in helping us identify those responsible and understand when and where issues are occurring. We encourage residents to continue reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour and sharing information with us so that we can target our resources effectively.

We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to engage with us through community meetings, events and surveys. Your feedback has directly informed this priority and helps ensure that local policing activity remains focused on the issues that matter most to the community.

Further updates on activity, engagement, enforcement action and progress against this priority will be published on this webpage each month.