Thames Valley Police have addressed speculation that the perpetrators of a gang-rape of a woman in a churchyward is linked to a migrant hotel.
The woman, in her 30s, was raped by a group of men in the churchyard of St Mary’s in Banbury and the surrounding area of the Oxfordshire town centre in the early hours of Sunday, the force said.
In an update on Monday morning, it confirmed that one of the offenders is a white man.
However, police have now put to rest further speculation surrounding the incident, advising the public that unfounded assumptions are detrimental to the investigation.
“We are aware of speculation circulating the possible ethnic background or origin of the individuals connected to this incident,” police said.
“At this stage, we have no further verified description of those involved.
“Any assumptions being made are unfounded and unhelpful to the investigation.”
Police added: “We can confirm there is no information at this stage to link this investigation to migrant accommodation”.
“We urge the public to refrain from speculation,” the police said.
Police have appealed for anyone to come forward with information
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GOOGLE MAPSOfficers have previously appealed for a woman who attempted to stop the attack to come forward with information.
Detective Sergeant Mark Personius said it was a “horrific crime”.
“Thames Valley Police is conducting a thorough investigation to identify the offenders,” he said.
“We are supporting the victim with specifically trained officers at this extremely difficult time.”
Mr Personius said 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 12am and 2.30am this morning to come forward,” he added.
Police have asked anyone with information to contact Thames Valley Police, referencing the number 43250495078.
In response to the incident, the church cancelled Sunday’s parish Eucharist.
Thames Valley Police is investigating the incident
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PA
The Revd Serena Tajima told the BBC that the church was “greatly saddened to hear of the horrific incident that happened at our graveyard”.
“Our prayers are with the victim at this difficult time,” she said.
“We had our early music festival that weekend and … to think that only a few hours later this awful thing was happening.
“It just makes it even worse.”