Adam Rawlings, a 20-year-old man, was arrested in Bicester, Oxfordshire, on the afternoon of Saturday 14 March 2026 for carrying a knife in public. Officers from Thames Valley Police charged him with possessing a bladed article in a public place following the incident in the town centre.
Rawlings, who has no fixed home address, has been kept in custody until his next court date. He is expected to appear at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 8 May 2026.
The arrest followed a report from a member of the public who noticed the situation and alerted the authorities. Police thanked the resident for their help and reminded everyone that reporting suspicious activity helps to keep Bicester safe.
The Bicester Town Neighbourhood Policing Team is currently carrying out high-visibility patrols in shopping areas and local hotspots. This work follows reports that knife crime across the region fell by 9 per cent in 2024, with 1,067 incidents recorded compared to 1,179 the previous year.
Residents can use 33 knife amnesty bins across the region to safely get rid of blades, a service highlighted by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner. Local crime reduction schemes like Operation Deter Youth are also being expanded by the Home Office to be used across the country.
