Figures published on 28 February 2026 by Thames Valley Police show that Banbury, Oxfordshire, recorded 266 total crimes during January 2026. The most reported issue was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 115 separate incidents during the month.
Other significant figures from the start of the year include 28 reports of anti-social behaviour, 25 incidents of shoplifting, and 22 cases of criminal damage and arson. While the total of 266 crimes is a slight decrease from the 275 reports seen in December 2025, it is an increase compared to the 237 crimes recorded in February 2025.
The Banbury Town Neighbourhood Policing Team is currently focusing on tackling drug dealing in the town centre and local estates. Officers are also prioritising issues with anti-social behaviour caused by street drinkers to improve safety for residents and workers.
As part of these efforts, Police Community Support Officers have been given new powers to seize e-scooters that are being used illegally. Under the current policy, any seized devices will not be returned to their owners, as the team looks to reduce dangerous or disruptive use of the vehicles in public spaces.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
