MP 'staggered' by lack of CCTV after bike theft

An MP has said she was "staggered" to find CCTV in Oxford city centre is so limited after her electric bike was stolen.

Layla Moran locked up her cargo bike at The Plain on Friday night between 22:50 BST and 23:30, but on her return it had gone.

She said she was shocked to find that part of the city centre was a "CCTV blackspot", despite a fatal crash that killed cyclist Ling Felce there in 2023.

A Thames Valley Police (TVP) spokesperson said it was looking at where some cameras could be moved after "extensive surveys to find suitable locations".

The force said work was ongoing to transfer the ownership of cameras to the Thames Valley CCTV Partnership, a collaboration between police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber and councils.

"Having my bicycle stolen was gutting, but sadly it is an experience that is shared all too often by residents in Oxford," the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon said.

"What is worse is that nothing can be done in so many of these cases because of a lack of CCTV."

According to TVP's own figures, there were 155 reported bike thefts in the Oxford Central area between the start of 2026 and the end of May.

The TVP spokesperson said officers were currently using "CCTV from surrounding areas, businesses and residents" to detect criminals.

They added: "We understand the concerns of residents and victims of crime and are working closely with partners to support the return of the system to full operational capability as soon as possible."

The completed project will "not only improve the resilience and effectiveness of the CCTV network but will also help ensure the long-term security of CCTV coverage across the Thames Valley," they said.

Lubna Arshad, the city council's cabinet member for a safer Oxford, said there were about 100 cameras in the city centre, east Oxford and some of its neighbourhood parades.

"A recent redevelopment led to the removal of a transmitter, affecting connectivity for some cameras along Cowley Road, but a new transmitter has now been installed and connectivity to the police monitoring suite has been restored," she added.

"A small number of cameras are currently experiencing technical issues and our maintenance contractor is working to resolve these as quickly as possible."