Armed police officers stormed a key city route on Thursday night as three men were arrested on suspicion of drug offences.
Police arrested three men in Cowley Road near Manzil Way in east Oxford at around 10.30pm on suspicion of drug offences.
This came after three other men had been arrested on the same road earlier in the day at 6.30pm on suspicion of drug offences. It is not clear if the two are connected at this stage.
READ MORE: 'Dramatic' Cowley Road chase ends in two arrests
Several undercover and marked police cars raced to the busy road.
One eyewitness said on Thursday night: "Seven emergency vehicles were responding to a incident near Manzil Way."
Another claimed there was a police helicopter sent up, too.
He said: "There were about six police cars and police officers with guns.
"Also during this incident, there was a helicopter roaming around this location. I am not sure what was happening though."
Commenting on Friday lunchtime, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “Officers responded to an incident in Cowley Road at approximately 10.30pm on Thursday,
“Three men, aged 32, 22 and 19 from Oxfordshire were arrested in possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a class A substance and possession of a class B substance.
“No members of the public were injured in this incident and there are no concerns for the wider public.”
It comes as two other men were arrested in Cowley Road earlier at 6.30pm.
One man, aged 18, and from Oxford, was arrested on suspicion of drug offences while another man, 26, also from Oxford, was arrested on suspicion of driving offences, drug offences, assault of a police officer and was wanted on prison recall.
Commenting on Friday, a Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Officers responded to an incident on Cowley Road at approximately 6.30pm yesterday evening.
“Two individuals were arrested in connection with the incident. One person was arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences.
“A second person was arrested on suspicion of driving offences, drug-related offences, assaulting a police officer, and was also wanted on recall to prison.
“Fortunately, no injuries were reported.”
Armed police stormed Manzil Way in Cowley last night, appearing to make arrests @TheOxfordMail pic.twitter.com/pOgpmwCZbn
— Matt Simpson (@MattSimpson__) October 3, 2025
An Oxford police spokesman said: "If you witnessed anything or have information that could help, please contact Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting the reference 43250503979.
"Your input could be valuable."
Police guidance states you should call 999 in an emergency if the suspect is sill at the scene or if someone is being violent, or threatening to be violent. You should also call 999 if a crime is happening in the present such as a theft or burglary.
