Crime & Safety
Oxford terror police search homes as man and woman arrested
A 50-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, both from Oxford, were arrested today, Thursday, March 26, on suspicion of arranging funds for the purpose of terrorism contrary to section 17 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East, supported by Thames Valley Police, are carrying out search activity at a residential address in the city.
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Supt Jen Hogben, of Thames Valley Police, said: “Arrests of this nature can cause some in the community to feel concerned, however they form part of a pre-planned operation led by our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing South East and there is no immediate risk to the public.
“We will continue to offer support to Counter Terrorism Policing South East while their investigation continues.
“Residents living in the Cowley area may notice an increased police presence while search activity is ongoing. If there are any concerns anyone wishes to raise, please contact police.”
The arrested man and woman remain in police custody.
It comes just one week after a 16-year-old boy from Didcot, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on charges relating to supporting Islamic State following a separate investigation.
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The teenager faces seven terrorism charges and is alleged to have stockpiled weapons, explosives and a suicide vest at his family home, the court heard.
It is said he had 17 knives, including machetes, in his bedroom when the home was raided by counter terrorism police on March 12, and he is suspected of sharing IS propaganda on terrorist attacks in Paris as well as footage of battlefield explosions and killings.
The boy, who has converted to Islam as a teenager, is said to have had swords and a knuckleduster in his possession, as well as homemade explosives.
As well as the terrorism charges, the boy has been charged with refusing to give police access to his phone while in custody after his arrest.
He appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 19, and Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded him into custody in secure accommodation designed for youth defendants.
Through his lawyer, the boy indicated not guilty pleas to all eight charges against him.
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According to the charges, it is said he sent a video “containing footage of Islamic State and attacks in Paris” to his cousin in November last year, and the following month shared a “battlefield video containing footage of Islamic state”.
On arrest, he is accused of possessing IS magazine Inspire 1, a document called 100 Deadly Skills, a suicide vest, a selection of knives and swords, and “homemade improvised explosive devices”.
The boy is due to appear at the Old Bailey for a further hearing on April 17.
Officers were called to Crab Marsh, Wisbech, by a local river official at just before noon.
Specialist search teams had been looking for Declan, 18, from Wisbech, after his blue VW Polo entered the water in North Brink, Wisbech St Mary, on (March 17).
Five people had been travelling in the vehicle, which was recovered from the river five days after the collision.
The body of Eden Bunn, 16, from Sutton Bridge, was recovered from the water the day after the collision.
Three others – two girls aged 16 and an 18-year-old man – managed to escape the vehicle.
Detective Inspector Craig Wheeler said: “Declan’s family have been notified, and I would ask that their privacy is respected during this horrendous time for them.
“Our investigation into this absolutely tragic collision continues and I would urge anyone with any information about the collision to contact me.”
Have you got a story you want to share? Get in touch at oliver.murphy@newsquest.co.uk
Results from a consultative ballot announced on Tuesday afternoon (March 31) reveal 94 per cent of firefighters said ‘yes’ to strike action on a 71 per cent turnout.
Threats have been made that unless the cuts are scrapped, strike action could be seen this summer.
Oxfordshire County Council‘s Fire and Rescue Service is looking to close five fire stations, remove six fire engines and axe 42 firefighters under the proposals.
Stations in Henley, Woodstock and Eynsham would be shut down while Rewley Road and Kidlington would also be shut to merge together in North Oxford.
Fire Brigade Union’s general secretary Steve Wright said the result “could not be clearer” and warned that if the council doesn’t “move quickly to scrap” the proposals, strike action “moves ever closer”.
Mr Wright, a firefighter in Oxfordshire for two decades, said: “The proposals we are facing will put public safety, firefighter safety and our communities at risk.
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“This is simply not something we can stand by and let happen.
“We have written to those responsible for proposing these cuts on this much valued public service to withdraw these proposals.
“There can be no price put on the safety of firefighters and the public we serve, and we will do all we can to stop these cuts from happening.
“If that means moving to a formal ballot for strike action then that is what we will do.
“It is not too late for those in authority to step back from the edge and do what is right for the fire and rescue service and for the public.
“As well as our message to Oxfordshire County Council, we will take this argument to government, to the fire minister and to the prime minister.
“They need to be aware of the real damage these cuts will have when it comes to the safety of the public we serve.”
Johnny Shuker, Oxfordshire brigade secretary, added firefighters are ready to strike as soon as this summer if the cuts are not abandoned.
“More wildfires and extreme weather events are expected during the summer months,” said Mr Shuker.
“By refusing to shelve these cuts, the county council is leaving firefighters with no choice but to go on strike during that time.
“It is playing fast and loose with public safety and that of firefighters by pressing ahead with these cutbacks.”
Oxfordshire County Council has been approached for further comment.
The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter lives in Oxfordshire, where he runs Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington and The Farmer’s Dog pub in Asthall, near Burford.
More recently, he has become known for starring in Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime, which documents his time running the 1,000-acre farm.
He has been a vocal supporter of the UK’s farming industry, regularly highlighting the issues the sector is facing.
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In addition, in late 2024, he marched in London as part of a protest against a new 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million from April 2026.
With the tax about to come into force, Mr Clarkson has revealed he has been making plans for his death in his latest The Sunday Times column.
It comes as he has previously revealed that he underwent emergency heart surgery in 2024 at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital after suffering pains.
Whilst setting down some brutally honest plans for his funeral as well as burial, and will, Mr Clarkson brought up the topic of organ donation.
READ MORE: Locals fear Jeremy Clarkson will move to town with Richard Hammond
Speaking on Organ Donor Cards, he revealed: “I know I should carry one. It’s the right thing to do.
“But I’ve always had a nagging doubt that I might be wrong about God and that if I give my eyes to a motorcyclist and it turns out there is a heaven, I’d be pretty cross with myself.”
Mr Clarkson will return to screens later this year with the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm, which is expected to be released on Prime Video in May.
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