Crime & Safety
Oxford shop raids see 13,000 illegal cigarettes seized
Nearly nine kilograms of illegal tobacco, 13,000 illicit cigarettes, 123 units of nicotine patches and 51 single use vapes were seized by Oxfordshire County Council‘s Trading Standards team in a series of raids in Oxford.
Seven shops in Cowley and Headington were visited by the team with specialist tobacco detection dogs across March 29 and 31.
READ MORE: Man found dead after major police response at Culham Lock
The total street value of the haul was estimated to be £7,500.
Investigations into the illegal sales are ongoing, with premises facing potential criminal prosecution and additional sanctions like civil financial penalties and licensing reviews.
People suspected of having no legal right to work in the UK were also identified during the raids, and trading standards said it is liaising with Immigration Enforcement.
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “There is no such thing as a safe cigarette, but it is still very concerning that counterfeit versions are so widely available, sold at pocket money prices by criminals who don’t care who they sell to.
“Thank you again to our brilliant team for their work.
“We know it can be hard to stop smoking, but help is available to anyone living in Oxfordshire.
“People are three times more likely to successfully stop by using a service like Smokefree Oxfordshire. It’s free to everyone living in the county.”
READ MORE: Fire service statement after ‘black smoke’ seen over Oxford
The raids were part of Operation CeCe, an HMRC-funded national initiative tackling the sale and supply of illegal tobacco products.
Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards operations manager, said: “The public can help us to create a healthier and safer Oxfordshire by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity, anonymously if preferred, using our hotline.
“The illegal tobacco criminality is relentless at the moment – but so are we.”
Illegal tobacco sales can be reported by calling 0300 999 6 999 or anonymously online at www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.
Police confirmed this morning that a man had died at the scene of a major police incident on Monday, April 6, after they were called to a scene at Culham Lock car park in Abingdon at 4.35am.
Reports made to police were of a ‘fear for welfare’ incident.
READ MORE: Man found dead after major police response at Culham Lock
The force have said that a man in his 50s sadly died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
A strong police presence remained at the riverside site into the afternoon on Monday, with eyewitness reporting the scene was ongoing until past 3.30pm.
The man has not yet been formally identified but police said a file has been prepared for the coroner.
His death is being treated as ‘unexplained but not suspicious’, police said.
StarterMotor, an automotive charity based at Bicester Motion, will hold the event on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, 2.
A relaxed own-car demonstration track experience will take place on the first day of the festival.
There are limited spaces and entry costs £50, £25 for a second driver and a £10 spectator donation.
Fellow specialists Harry Fraser Vehicle Upholstery and Hagerty are also putting on talks during the event.
There will also be a guided tour of the site and an exclusive screening of Paddock Speedshop’s upcoming TV show.
READ MORE: BT plans for communications pole for village near Bicester
An AutoSolo event will take place on the second day with a series of accessible courses for competitive precision driving and car control.
There are only 50 spaces available at £50 per competitor. A Clubmans RS licence is required for entry, which is free from Motorsport UK.
To participate in the festival, contact info@startermotor.co
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “Having carefully considered the circumstances, we’ve taken the decision not to air the final episode of the 2026 series of ‘The Great Celebrity Bake Off’ for Stand Up to Cancer, featuring Scott Mills.
“Acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations that have been made against Scott, we don’t believe it would be appropriate to air the episode at this time.
The spokesperson confirmed to Variety: “An alternative episode of ‘Celebrity GBBO’ will go out in its place.”
Newsquest has approached Channel 4 for comment.
Why was Scott Mills sacked?
The former Radio 2 DJ was sacked by the BBC after it emerged the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the 53-year-old in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.
The BBC has confirmed it knew about the police investigation into Mills in 2017, but said it “acted decisively” after receiving “new information” in the weeks before his sacking.
The corporation said it terminated his contracts on Friday (March 27), just days after taking him off air.
Lovely tribute to the wonderful Sean Lock from Jon Richardson #GBBO pic.twitter.com/gg94Ce8ecZ
— Paula (@ms_malinki) March 22, 2026
Scott Mills statement
In his first public statement since news broke of his sacking, Mills said he had co-operated fully with the investigation, adding he has been the subject of “rumour and speculation”.
He said: “The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation.
“In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.
“An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully co-operated and responded to in 2018.”
Who is on The Great Celebrity Bake Off?
Among the celebrities taking part alongside Mills in the celebrity spin-off were JoJo Siwa, Sugababes singer Mutya Buena and actors Rose Ayling-Ellis and Ambika Mod, among others.
The celebrities join Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond in the tent, aiming to impress Paul Hollywood and new judge Cherish Finden as they bake for Stand Up To Cancer.
Are you looking forward to The Great Celebrity Bake Off? Let us know in the comments
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