FOUR people have been arrested after reports of three people, including two teenagers, being shot with an air gun.

Thames Valley Police said one teenager was shot with what appeared to be 'a ball bearing gun' about 8.45pm in Hunt Close, Bicester, on Saturday.

It is also being linked to another two similar incidents when a 24-year-old woman was shot with a BB gun the same day, and a 16-year-old boy shot on Sunday.

The victims suffered minor injuries and they did not require hospital treatment.

All three incidents happened in Hunt Close and the four men, one aged 23, one aged 31 and two aged 26 of no fixed abode, were arrested on Monday.

They were arrested on suspicion of assault on a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and they all currently remain in police custody.

Hunt Close is located across the road from the police station on Queens Avenue.

Some accounts on social media suggest police did not immediately respond to the reports of shooting.

But a Thames Valley Police spokesman has responded to this with details of the forces response times.

He said: "The first incident on Saturday was reported to Thames Valley Police at 10.33pm, although the incident itself occurred at approximately 8.45pm.

"The victim had returned home and was safe, and so an appointment was arranged to see him.

"Regarding the two incidents reported on Sunday, the first incident was reported at 11.55am and officers were dispatched at 11.59am, including an armed response at 12.02pm.

"The armed unit arrived at 12.26pm. Our response time from the time of the call was 31 minutes.

"The second incident was reported at 1.03pm, officers were dispatched at 1.06pm and arrived at 1.11pm. So our response time from the time of the call was eight minutes."

The attacks follow a group of travellers having moved on to the grass area in Hunt Close on Wednesday and are believed to have stayed there for a number of days.

Oxford Mail:

Local reports suggest the group moved on from the site on Sunday.