Thames Valley Police have launched an urgent investigation after a woman in her 30s was gang raped at St Mary’s Church churchyard in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and nearby areas in the town centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Officers said a woman may have attempted to assist the victim during the “horrific crime” and are appealing for her to come forward, as well as anyone else who witnessed anything between approximately 12 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.
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 specially trained officers at this extremely difficult time.”
Police are conducting house-to-house inquiries and reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation. They have also set up a scenewatch at the church to carry out forensic examinations. Anyone with relevant CCTV, dashcam, or mobile phone footage is urged to contact police through a dedicated webpage, by calling 101, or speaking to an officer at the scene. The reference number for the investigation is 43250495078.
St Mary’s Church announced the closure of the church and cancellation of the parish Eucharist, stating: “It is with deep regret that we are unable to access the church due to the incident. We are deeply saddened and are praying for the victim. Please share any information with the police if you can help.”
