Police launch major probe after gang rape in Banbury Churchyard

28 September 2025 , 14:38

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Police launch major probe after gang rape in Banbury Churchyard

Police have initiated a major investigation after a woman was gang raped in a churchyard in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, experienced what Thames Valley Police called a “horrific” attack in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Detectives are also seeking information about a woman who bravely attempted to intervene and assist the victim during the assault.

Specially trained officers are supporting the victim through what the force described as an “extremely difficult” time.

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.

“I am making a public appeal to a specific witness, a woman, who we believe may have attempted to assist the victim. At this stage, we don’t have a description of this Good Samaritan.

"However, if you believe you are this woman, please contact the police as you may have crucial information that can help us reconstruct what happened.

“The town center 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 could assist us, please get in touch."

Thomas Brown