UPDATE: Banbury wide raids end in arrests for Class A drug offenses

In total seven warrants were executed across Banbury resulting in the arrest of seven people as part of the wider Operation Reacher, those arrested are listed below.

Operation Reacher is part of Thames Valley Police’s force-wide campaign, Stronghold, which aims to work in partnership in order to tackle serious organised crime.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector John Batty, said: “We have executed a number of warrants this morning making a number of arrests.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to tackle criminals who seek to commit serious crime in Banbury but also across county boundaries.

“We will not accept this criminal activity in Banbury, specifically the actions of drug dealers in targeting vulnerable individuals and properties through which they seek operate.

“We will continue to do all we can to disrupt and bring to justice anyone who sees fit to engage in such behaviour.

He added: “There has been visible police presence across a number of locations in Banbury this morning, reassurance patrols will be in the area and should any member of the public have concerns we would ask them to speak to one of the officers. As a result of this operation we also have a number of closure order notices in place.

“Stronghold is a campaign across Thames Valley Police which seeks to work with partner agencies in order to tackle serious organised crime.

“That is no different in Banbury. Today’s work was triggered by reports from the public concerned about drug use in their communities and the associated dangers with discarded needles etc.

“We would ask the public to keep informing us of suspicious activity in their communities, as only with this intelligence will we combat serious organised crime and provide support to those victims who play an unwilling part.”

A 20-year-old man from Coventry was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. He has been bailed until 24 April.

A 38-year-old woman from Banbury was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. She has been bailed until 24 April.

A 36-year-old man from Banbury was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. He has been bailed until 18 April.

A 29-year-old woman from Banbury was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. She has been bailed until 18 April.

A 21-year-old man from Banbury was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. He has been bailed until 19 April.

An 18-year-old man from Banbury was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. He has been bailed until 19 April.

A 37-year-old woman from Witney arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs has been released with no further action.