Police have launched an urgent probe after a woman was gang raped at a churchyard by a group of men.
The woman in her 30s was raped at St Mary’s Church’s churchyard in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and in the surrounding areas in the town centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A woman is believed to have tried to help the victim during the ‘horrific crime‘, Thames Valley Police said.
The force are searching for witnesses or anyone with information in relation to the rape.
They will be conducting house to house and CCTV enquiries as they hunt for the perpetrators.
Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Mark Personius said: ‘This is a horrific crime and Thames Valley Police is conducting a thorough investigation to identify the offenders.
‘We are supporting the victim with specifically trained officers at this extremely difficult time.
‘I am making a public appeal to a specific witness, a woman, who we believe may have tried to help the victim.
Police have launched an urgent probe after a woman was gang raped in St Mary’s Church’s churchyard in Banbury
‘At this stage we don’t have a description of this Good Samaritan. However, if you believe you are the woman, please contact the police as you may have vital information that can help us piece together what happened.
‘The town centre would have been busy on a Saturday night into the early hours of a Sunday morning. Therefore, I would also appeal to anyone else who saw or heard anything in the area between about 12am and 2.30am this morning to come forward.
‘Please check any CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage you have from the area and if you have captured anything that you think may help us, please get in touch.
‘You can contact the force by speaking to an officer at the scene, calling 101 or via a dedicated webpage for this investigation, where you can leave any footage from the area. The investigation reference number is 43250495078.
‘There is a scenewatch in place at the church to enable us to carry our forensic examinations. We will also be conducting house to house and CCTV enquiries.
‘I would like to thank local residents and businesses for their ongoing support while we are in the area carrying out our investigation.’
St Mary’s Church said in a statement: ‘Due to an incident in the churchyard last night, we currently have no access to church. It is with deep regret that we are therefore having to cancel today’s parish Eucharist. Please pray for those affected by whatever happened last night.’
It later added: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of this incident and are praying for the victim. If you have any information, please share this with th
