The former mayor, and current sheriff of Oxford has been announced as the new cabinet member for safer communities.

City councillor for Churchill Mark Lygo has replaced Shaista Aziz who resigned from the Labour Party following Keir Starmer’s comments on the Israel, Gaza conflict.

Mr Lygo’s new responsibilities will include community safety and tackling antisocial behaviour and working with Thames Valley Police on tackling drug-dealing, county lines, domestic violence and child sexual exploitation.

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He is also tasked with keeping the night-time economy safe, along with safeguarding adults and children.

Modern slavery, crime and violence against women and girls, Oxford Safer Communities Partnership, Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel and the Safer Oxford Partnerships, also fall under his remit.

Mr Lygo has been a councillor since 2008. He was the Lord Mayor from November 2020 to May 2022, Deputy Lord Mayor from May 2022 to May 2023 and is currently the Sheriff of Oxford. He will continue to represent Churchill Ward.

Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said: "I am delighted to welcome Councillor Mark Lygo back to the Oxford City Council Cabinet to work for safer communities to continue our work on supporting our local communities to feel safe, working with the police and holding the Police and Crime Commissioner to account."

Nine Labour councillors have now quit following the shadow Prime Minister’s comments, meaning the party no longer holds a majority on Oxford City Council.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1