Police 'increase action' on law-breaking drivers

Drivers across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire are being warned by the police to expect more action against those who break the law.

Thames Valley Police has launched a new roads policing "tasking team" to take an intelligence-based approach to tackling dangerous driving, speeding and those drink driving or having taken drugs.

The team will be deployed to roads posing the "greatest risk" by analysing crash data, emerging trends and threats.

Insp Simon Hills said: "We will be better equipped than ever to prevent danger and save lives."

The force emphasised "focused, preventative action" aligned with the government's recently launched roads strategy.

Insp Hills said: "The team's primary focus will be proactive roads policing and enforcement, and the public should expect to see increased action.

"The team will be using all available enforcement options at their disposal to target those road users who choose to put themselves and others at risk through dangerous, impaired or irresponsible driving."

He added the team would also "target those individuals known to us through intelligence, including those involved in drink or drug driving".

In December 2025, 260 people were arrested for drug driving and 209 for driving while over the alcohol limit.

Roads policing comes under Thames Valley and Hampshire Police's Joint Operations Unit and it is hoped a similar tasking team will be established in Hampshire.

The Thames Valley team was launched at Bicester Park and Ride, Oxfordshire, on 16 February 2026.

The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) were also at the launch.

The DVSA carried out checks on lorries and minibuses, while HMRC "fuel dippers" used tools to examined vehicle fuel tanks for "illegal red diesel" and "lower duty" fuel intended for off-road machinery, agriculture, or heating.

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.