Crime & Safety
Tommy Robinson Oxford Union visit slammed by Bishop and Imam
Bishop of Oxford Dr Steven Croft and Imam Monawar Hussain have written a joint letter in which they say they are “disturbed and saddened” that the far-right leader is scheduled to appear at the debating society which is more than 200 years old.
The controversial figure, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is to debate at the Oxford Union on Thursday, May 28.
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The debate is entitled ‘this house believes the West is right to be suspicious of Islam’.
Mr Yaxley-Lennon has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including in October 2024 for contempt of court.
He has organised multiple marches in London including a ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest on Saturday, May 16.
Citing the recent rally as well as a shooting at the mosque in San Diego on May 18, the faith leaders said that this is a “a time of rising tensions between communities”.
They added: “The Muslim community is acknowledging a rise in Islamophobia.
“The Jewish communities have seen antisemitic rhetoric which has had tragic consequences in terms of attacks on people and property.
“As faith leaders across Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley we stand together against hatred, racism and those who would divide our communities.”
The Bishop and the Imam are co-chairs of the Oxfordshire Faith and Civic Leaders Forum and the Thames Valley Faith and Civic Leaders Forum, with this interjection coming just months before Dr Croft is due to retire.
The pair said that everyone needs to play their part in resisting division and racism and, as such, termed the Union’s invitation “untimely and divisive”.
“We understand, of course, that the Oxford Union is outside the direct control of the University of Oxford,” they said.
The Bishop and Imam added: “We understand the need to protect freedom of speech and the right to protest.
“But these rights sit alongside the rights of every citizen and their children to go about their daily lives free of hatred and physical danger.”
Dr Croft and Imam Hussain explained that the city has a long history of hospitality to migrants and the poorest members of society and that the Oxford Union leaders need to be mindful of the city they reside in.
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The duo added: “Those who are temporary residents in our world leading university and who lead the Oxford Union have a duty of care to the many thousands of Muslims, Jews and others of different faiths in the city.
“We make a strong appeal in these weeks and months of global tension that this invitation should be reconsidered and withdrawn for the sake of this city and its peace.”
Others have also condemned the visit of Mr Yaxley-Lennon, including local councillors and MP Anneliese Dodds.
The Labour politician said: “The hatred promoted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, has no place in our great city.”
Thames Valley Police has warned dog owners to “never” leave their pet in a hot vehicle, even if for a short time.
The force released the advice today (Tuesday, May 26) after a dog was removed from a car because of the “dangerously high temperature”.
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It was kept in an air-conditioned police vehicle until the owner returned.
A spokesperson for the South Oxon and Vale of White Horse team said: “We are urging the public to never leave dogs in hot cars—even for a short time.
“Recently, PC Hackett attended a report of a dog left in a vehicle.
“Despite the windows being slightly open and a bowl of water inside, the temperature was still dangerously high.
“The dog had to be removed and kept safe in an air-conditioned police vehicle until the owner returned, where advice was given.
“Cars heat up rapidly, even on mild days. Dogs cannot regulate their body temperature effectively and can quickly suffer or die.
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“Leaving a dog in a hot car may constitute an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
“If you see a dog in distress call 999 in an emergency otherwise report via 101.
“Remember: If you wouldn’t sit in the car, don’t leave your dog in it.”
The UK has recorded its hottest ever May temperature with provisional temperatures reaching 35°C in London and 33°C in Oxford on Tuesday, May 26.
This comes as temperatures in Oxfordshire hit record heights on Monday, May 25, with 33.6°C measured in Benson, near Wallingford.
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Meanwhile a yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Tuesday evening with the possibility of isolated storms hitting large swathes of the country including Oxford.
The Met Office said many areas will stay hot and sunny but there is potential for as much as 30mm of rainfall in the space of an hour in some parts.
The warning is in place between 3pm and 10pm today (Tuesday, May 26).
The heat has caused some disruption in Oxfordshire with reports of freezers and fridges within supermarkets breaking down.
Multiple customers said they left the Aldi in Broadway, Didcot, without any chilled food due to broken cooling systems in the shop.
Several other supermarkets in the county are showing empty shelves, as products are returned to the warehouse to prevent spoiling them while fridges and freezers are out of action.
One such store is the Waitrose in Bell Street, Henley, where cooled shelves have been cleared and a notice put up in the place of products like dairy and meat.
The notice said: “Due to the extreme temperatures and a breakdown of our main refrigeration units we have, unfortunately, had to send our chilled and frozen products back to our warehouse to prevent the stock being destroyed.”
Meanwhile, a section of the Oxfordshire police called on the public to ensure dogs are not left in hot cars after one was found left in a vehicle with the temperature “dangerously high”.
The South Oxon and Vale of White Horse team said: “We are urging the public to never leave dogs in hot cars—even for a short time.
“Recently, PC Hackett attended a report of a dog left in a vehicle.
“Despite the windows being slightly open and a bowl of water inside, the temperature was still dangerously high.
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“The dog had to be removed and kept safe in an air-conditioned police vehicle until the owner returned, where advice was given.”
The Met Office said that the minimum temperature tonight is likely to be 15°C with Wednesday set to be “mainly dry and sunny again”.
A spokesperson said: “Fresher conditions expected near eastern coasts with stronger onshore breezes. Maximum temperature 29 °C.”
Longer term it is expected to stay warm for the remainder of the week albeit with a slight temperature dip.
Thames Valley Police updated that they arrested a male this morning (Tuesday, May 26) after a major operation in Blackbird Leys.
Multiple teams were involved and it led to drugs, weapons and cash being seized, with the man arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences.
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A spokesperson for police said: “This morning, officers have carried out a drugs warrant in the Blackbird Leys area of Oxford, led by the local Neighbourhood Team.
“They were supported by colleagues from the Harm Reduction Unit, Oxford Central Neighbourhood Team, and the Proactive Disruption Team as part of a coordinated effort to disrupt criminal activity.
“During the operation, drugs, weapons and a quantity of cash were seized.
“One male has been arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences and remains in police custody.”
The force added that this showed that they are committed to tackling illegal drug crime and protecting communities such as those in Blackbird Leys.
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The spokesperson continued: “We are committed to tackling drug-related crime and protecting our communities from the harm it causes.
“Warrants like this demonstrate our continued focus on those involved in supplying illegal drugs.
“If you have information about drug activity or other crime in your area, please report it to us.”
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