Crime & Safety
Thousands now qualify for free bus travel under new plans
The Department for Transport has announced a new £3 million funding boost to help local areas take control of their bus networks, with councils already rolling out free travel schemes, £1 fares and brand new routes.
The changes are part of a wider “bus revolution” aimed at cutting costs for passengers and improving access, especially in rural and lower-income areas where transport options have been limited.
Six mayoral authorities including Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority will benefit from the latest funding as they move towards a franchised system, similar to Bee Network.
Where free and cheaper bus travel is already happening
Local authorities are already using government funding to introduce eye-catching fare cuts and free travel schemes:
- In Barnsley, under-18s can travel completely free for two years, removing the cost of school and college journeys
- In the North East, fares for under-21s have been cut to as little as £1
- In Liverpool, the £2 fare cap remains in place alongside new express routes
- In parts of England, children’s fares have been frozen at £1 until 2029
At the same time, new routes are reconnecting areas that previously had no bus services at all. In Norfolk, a new link between Great Yarmouth, Caister and Norwich is connecting rural communities to jobs and education for the first time.
What the changes mean for passengers
Ministers say the investment is already delivering cheaper, more frequent and better connected services, with more improvements expected as local leaders gain greater control over routes and pricing.
Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood said: “It is an incredibly exciting time for buses at the moment with record government funding supporting new services, including to rural communities and discounted ticket offers.”
He added: “Our £3 million funding boost will help mayors take a step closer to franchising, allowing local leaders to take control of their buses to deliver for the thousands of people who rely on bus travel.”
Transport groups say the reforms could transform everyday travel, making buses more accessible and affordable for millions.
The 6 authorities benefitting from today’s (13 April 2026) tranche of £3 million funding package are:
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- North East Combined Authority
- West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
- West Midlands Combined Authority
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
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Urban Transport Group director Jason Prince said: “Buses are the backbone of our public transport system… local areas are investing in bus services like never before.”
And Bus Users UK chief executive Lydia Horbury added: “Buses are a lifeline for millions… this investment is a positive step toward creating a more integrated and affordable transport system.”
With more than £3 billion committed to bus funding between 2026 and 2029, officials say further fare cuts, free travel schemes and new routes are likely to follow.
Crime & Safety
Named ‘delivery rider’ guilty of Oxfordshire cocaine dealing
Leonardo Silvestre, aged 23 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, namely cocaine, at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Monday (April 13).
He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on May 12.
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This follows his arrest on April 10 at Denchworth Road, Wantage.
Thames Valley Police said they stopped a male “posing as a food‑delivery rider after suspicious behaviour caught our attention”.
The force added: “That instinct paid off — during a search we recovered 16 wraps of cocaine and over £1,000 in cash. All seized.”
Cocaine found by police after the arrest on Denchworth Road, Wantage (Image: Thames Valley Police)
The police team said that this was part of their ongoing crackdown on drugs in Wantage.
They said: “Our recent survey told us loud and clear that our community wants us to focus on drug-related activity—and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Over the next few days they had several other encounters with possible drugs offenders, including arresting a man, reportedly mid drug deal, on April 11, at Naldertown in Wantage.
The bike taken after the arrest on Denchworth Road, Wantage (Image: Thames Valley Police)
The force said: “As a result, a 22-year-old male from outside the area was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
“Drugs and cash were located on him, and his vehicle was seized.”
That man has since been released on police bail until June 26.
On April 12 they saw another man engaging in drug-related activity in Wantage with the suspect running from the police officers.
“Despite our best efforts—and assistance from the police helicopter—we were unable to locate him,” the police said.
Police make a drugs-related arrest in Wantage (Image: Thames Valley Police)
They added: “However, we did seize his vehicle, along with cash and significant items inside.”
As of Friday, April 17 no arrests have been made in the case.
In one of their updates the Wantage and Grove neighbourhood police team warned that much of the drugs activity in the area relates to ‘county lines’.
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The police explained: “It’s when organised drug networks from big cities push into smaller towns, exploiting vulnerable people to move drugs and money. It brings violence, fear and exploitation into communities that deserve better.
“This is one of several arrests we’ve made recently. Every time county lines tries to creep into Wantage, we’ll be there — and we’ll stop them.
“A huge thank‑you to our fantastic colleagues from Abingdon and Faringdon neighbourhood police teams for backing us up. Teamwork keeps our communities safe.”
Crime & Safety
Illegal Citreon Picasso seized on A41 by Oxfordshire town
Thames Valley Police said they confiscated the vehicle today (Friday, April 17) as it was on the roads uninsured.
In addition to the vehicle seizure, the driver has been reported.
A spokesperson for the Roads Policing team said: “First vehicle seizure of the late shift today by XRC01 on the A41 near Bicester.
READ MORE: Vauxhall seized as motorist drives from Oxfordshire police
“Driver was going to get around to insuring it at the weekend. Vehicle seized. Driver reported.”
This follows an incident on Wednesday, April 15 when a Vauxhall car was confiscated by Thames Valley Police.
The police attempted to talk to the driver of the car who then “made off” after which the car was located and recovered from its registered address.
Crime & Safety
Oxford expert’s sunscreen warning as heatwave predicted
Dr Tina Tian, a consultant dermatologist at Stratum Dermatology Clinic Oxford, has provided advice on how to encourage children to wear sunscreen amid a warning about leaving kid’s skin unprotected.
This not only comes ahead of Melanoma Awareness Month (May) but also with a heatwave predicted for much of the south of England.
READ MORE: Named ‘delivery rider’ pleads guilty after cocaine arrest in Oxfordshire town
The Daily Express has said that temperatures in counties, including Oxfordshire, could soon soar to up to 23°C, citing the latest ECMWF weather model.
Its data reveals temperatures are likely to peak on April 29.
Considering this Dr Tian and Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics, have highlighted the importance of encouraging children to wear sunscreen.
Dr Perry said: “Children’s skin is significantly more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin.
“The outer barrier isn’t fully developed, which means ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates more easily and can cause damage at a deeper cellular level.
Photo of a past heatwave in Oxford (Image: Ed Nix)
“What many people don’t realise is that a proportion of lifetime sun damage actually occurs before the age of 18.
“Even a handful of serious sunburns in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, later in life.”
Dr Tian agrees with Dr Perry and has provided some advice on how to encourage children to wear sunscreen.
This includes making it part of their routine, involving them in the process and turning it into a game.
Dr Tian said: “I often ask my daughter what kind of face she wants me to paint with the sunscreen to try to make it more fun.”
She also suggested non-stinging sunscreen.
“When sunscreen gets into children’s eyes, it can really sting so look out for sunscreen that is labelled as non-stinging,” she advised.
“The P20 one is really good due to the fact that it’s so water-resistant, so it doesn’t really move and won’t migrate into the eyes and make them sting.”
The experts also advised explaining why it’s important, using age-appropriate language, and to make it a reciprocal process.
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Dr Tian said: “With my son I find it really helpful to get him to put some sunscreen on me first to make it a bit of a reciprocal thing.”
Finally, she suggested letting children play with the lids and to warm up the cream beforehand.
She said: “A lot of sun creams have lids and you can draw funny faces on the lid and let your kids play with it while you’re doing the cream.”
She added: “Sun cream often feels very cold, so it can help to warm it up in your hands a bit before you start putting it on your child so it’s not too much of a shock for them.”
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