A report was made to Thames Valley Police of two males fighting with knives in Cherwell Avenue in Kidlington shortly before 9pm on Sunday (April 19).

The force has said that a man aged in his 40s was treated for “several stab injuries” in Oxford Road just after 10pm.

Police say he suffered “serious injuries” and remains in hospital in a stable condition.

READ MORE: Locals warned ‘do not use’ as section of Oxfordshire park forced to close

Thames Valley Police has since arrested two men from Kidlington, aged 24 and 52, on suspicion of assault, and both remain in police custody.

Officers say that there is no risk to the wider public, as the force believes all those involved in the incident are known to each other.

Despite this, Thames Valley Police has informed local residents that there will be an increased police presence in the town of Kidlington today (Monday, April 20).

READ MORE: UK drivers warned over worst time to fill up amid ‘fuel crisis’

There will also be a scene in Queens Avenue, so the public has been asked to speak to a uniformed officer if they have any concerns.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We are appealing for witnesses to an assault and weapons incident in Kidlington yesterday.

“Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact us, quoting the reference number 43260190844.

“Alternatively, people can report information to us anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers.”

Community-owned cinema Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP), a community-owned cinema off Cowley Road, is under threat of closure under its current contract.

Its landlord, Oriel College of the University of Oxford, is not willing to extend the lease beyond 2037, UPP has claimed.

READ MORE: Kidlington shocked as man ‘stabbed’ several times’

It emerged that Oriel College provost Baron Neil Mendoza, who is the chair of Historic England and a member of the House of Lords, worked to block the Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP) in Jeune Street being declared an Asset of Community Value (ACV), a status that grants protection from development.

Instead, the college wants to include the Grade II listed building in a ‘Fifth Quad’ development plans when the lease expires.

Supporters of the independent cinema launched a campaign to save it from redevelopment, and Labour MP for Oxford East, Anneliese Dodds, threw her weight behind the campaign last month.

A petition to save the community space this week reached more than 20,000 signatures.

A demonstration outside the Ultimate Picture Palace (Image: Zoe Broughton)

Now, the Labour MP will warn Parliament of the threat the cinema faces at an Adjournment Debate on Monday evening (April 20).

Ms Dodds will say that she is speaking “to highlight the case of the Ultimate Picture Palace in my constituency, and the need for government support for community assets”.

Describing the UPP as “the only remaining independent cinema in Oxford” and “a real landmark on Cowley Road”, she will praise its community‑owned model.

“At a time when thousands of community assets have closed, the Ultimate Picture Palace stands as a reminder that a different model is possible — and that it works,” she will say.

READ MORE: Police cordon in Kidlington after man ‘stabbed with knives’

Ms Dodds will explain that despite having planning permission and funders keen to support vital improvements, the cinema cannot proceed with them because “funders’ requirements for a long‑term lease are not being met”.

The Ultimate Picture Palace (Image: The Ultimate Picture Palace)

“But herein lies the problem,” she will tell the House of Commons.

“The landlord for this community‑owned asset, Oriel College, will not commit to such a long‑term lease, apparently because of the building lying within the plans for the proposed ‘Fifth Quad’.

“The idea of the cinema being used for this purpose strikes me and local residents as very strange,” she will add, given that the cinema is Grade II‑listed and “one of the oldest independent cinemas in England”.

Ms Dodds will urge Oriel College to reconsider and grant the cinema the long‑term lease it needs.

She will also invite the minister, who will respond to her contribution, to come and visit the UPP to experience the magic of community-owned cinema. 

READ MORE: Six tips in Oxfordshire to close, council announces

Executive director of The Ultimate Picture Palace Community Cinema, Micaela Tuckwell, said: “I very much welcome Ms Dodds raising this important issue facing Oxford’s only independent cinema and highlighting the enormous challenges faced by community assets.

“The Ultimate Picture Palace is a treasured local cultural heritage asset loved by generations of Oxford’s filmgoers for its exceptional programming and unique historical presence in the heart of the East Oxford community.”

She said an ‘alliance’ between the college and UPP would provide a ‘multitude’ of benefits to the community, on top of saving the cinema.

For 10 years, the football club has been trying to secure a lease from Milton Parish Council to develop a new sports pavilion and facility.

But nothing has come together, with the club arguing that with permission for new facilities at The Heights, it would be unsustainable for the men’s first team to stay in the league.

A statement from the directors said: “This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional decision for the directors, taken after more than a decade of sustained effort to secure the long-term future of the club at The Heights.

READ MORE: Man named and charged after ‘police chase’ through Oxford

“For the past 10 years, the club has worked tirelessly to develop a new community-focused sports pavilion and social facility to serve the growing population of Milton Heights.

“Despite funding being in place for over seven years, ongoing delays in securing a lease from Milton Parish Council has prevented this vital development from progressing.

“During this time, the club has faced repeated uncertainty, unfulfilled commitments, and significant delays.

“We have engaged constructively at every stage—attending meetings, adapting plans, and working collaboratively—but despite a formal resolution passed in April 2025, the situation remains unresolved.

“This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional decision for the directors, taken after more than a decade of sustained effort to secure the long-term future of the club at The Heights.

READ MORE: ‘I’m trapped in my own home and being harassed with fake pizza orders’

“We place on record our sincere thanks to all players, management, volunteers, supporters, and sponsors who have stood by the club during this extremely challenging period. Your loyalty and commitment mean everything.

“We firmly believe this pause will allow Milton United FC to reset, resolve these issues, and return stronger—with the facilities and foundations needed to secure the club’s future for the next 100 years.”

Back in 2017, a legally-binding sum of agreed-to money, approximately £78,000, was to be put towards the formation of the Milton Community Sports & Leisure CLG.

But in the years since, Milton United has claimed the parish council has had a “lack of commitment” with instances of slow progress at the council delaying the project.

A spokesperson for Milton Parish Council previously said it is “committed” to delivering on the facility but warned it is unable to function properly as there isn’t enough resources there right now.

The parish council has been approached for further comment on United withdrawing from the league.

A spokesman previously said: “We recognise that the project has faced challenges along the way, but the council has acted consistently in good faith and is fully aware of its responsibility to manage public money with diligence and care.”