Oxford Mail launch anti knife-crime campaign after serious incidents

Thame Valley Police have reassured residents that they have taken ‘robust action’ concerning the unrelated incidents and are working actively to tackle and prevent knife crime across the county.

The first incident took place in Littlemore on Sunday, February 25 when Tobias Bruce, 32, of Arthray Road, Oxford, was stabbed to death, launching a murder investigation.

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His medical cause of death has been given at ‘multiple sharp force injuries'.

Tobias Bruce (Image: Family handout)

A 28-year-old man was also injured in the ‘altercation’.

Police have since confirmed a 36-year-old man from Birmingham has been arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and assisting an offender.

Four days after the incident, a man sustained several stab wounds and was hospitalised after an incident in Edgecombe Road.

Edgecombe Road. (Image: NQ)

A 15-year-old from Headington was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent.

The third incident saw the launch of an attempted murder investigation following an altercation off Cowley Road between 6.30pm and 7pm on March 13.

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A man in his 40s was attacked in Manzil Way nearby. Worshippers at the Central Oxford Mosque gave first aid to the man who was said to have been stabbed.

Manzil Way (Image: NQ)

A spokesman for the mosque said: "When we went outside a young man said 'I've been stabbed' so we immediately brought him into the mosque to help him.

"He collapsed outside the mosque's front doors where we administered first aid with our trained first aiders."

Hassan Hussain, 24, of Nye Bevan Close, Oxford, was charged with one count of attempted murder, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of a knife blade or sharp-pointed article in a public place.

He appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (March 16) and his case was sent to Oxford Crown Court to be heard on April 12.

A fourth incident took place on the same day outside of Oxford which saw the death of 45-year-old Dale Bond in Mullein Road, Bicester.

Mullein Road, Bicester (Image: NQ)

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It was revealed that Mr Bond’s cause of death was confirmed as a stab wound to the chest.

Bailey Heywood, 22, of no fixed abode, has been charged with one count of murder and appeared at Oxford Crown Court on March 19 in the morning where a preliminary trial date has been set for September 2.

All these incidents has sparked the Oxford Mail to launch it’s newest anti-knife crime campaign, raising awareness of knife crime and how it can be prevented.