Thames Valley Police are conducting a thorough investigation into a horrific gang rape that occurred in the grounds of St Mary’s Church and the surrounding area of Banbury town centre. The victim, a woman in her 30s, was attacked by a group of men overnight on Saturday into the early hours of Sunday morning, between approximately 12 am and 2:30 am. One of the offenders has been described as a white man, though no further verified descriptions of those involved have been released at this stage.

A critical element of the ongoing investigation is the appeal for a specific witness, described as a 'Good Samaritan' woman, who allegedly tried to intervene and stop the attack. Detective Sergeant Mark Personius has publicly urged this woman to come forward, stating, "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 identity of this woman remains unknown, and police have not provided a description of her.

Authorities have also actively addressed and refuted rampant online speculation regarding the possible ethnic background or origin of the individuals connected to this incident, as well as any purported links to migrant accommodation. In a statement, Thames Valley Police confirmed, "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," emphasizing that such assumptions are unfounded and unhelpful to the investigation.

This police clarification comes amidst a broader context of public and media sensitivity surrounding the disclosure of suspect ethnicity, particularly in cases where migrant status is speculated. Previous incidents in the UK, such as those in Southport, Liverpool, Warwickshire, and Epping, have seen social media fuel speculation and sometimes misinform the public, leading to accusations of police inconsistency in disclosing suspect backgrounds and concerns about 'inflaming community tensions.'

The incident has deeply shocked the Banbury community. Local representatives, including Labour MP Sean Woodcock and Councillor Dr Kerrie Thornhill, have condemned the "cruel, cowardly attack" and expressed sympathy and solidarity with the survivor, stressing that "women and girls deserve to be safe and free in all spaces." Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke also appealed to the community for any information, reassuring residents of police efforts to maintain safety in Banbury.

St Mary's Church cancelled its Sunday parish Eucharist in response to the attack. The Rev Serena Tajima expressed profound sadness and devastation, stating, "Our prayers are with the victim at this difficult time," and also extending prayers to the 'Good Samaritan'. She noted the irony of the horrific event occurring just hours after a lovely music festival at the church, and highlighted the poor lighting conditions in the churchyard after midnight.

Concerns have also been raised by local residents about the St Mary's churchyard being a hotspot for anti-social behaviour. One single mother living nearby described frequently hearing screams and witnessing incidents such as knife and bottle fights, groups of men drinking, and individuals doing drugs in broad daylight. Despite these ongoing issues, she reported not hearing anything unusual on the night of the attack and noted that police had not conducted door-to-door enquiries in her immediate vicinity.

Thames Valley Police continue to appeal for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Banbury town centre area between 12 am and 2:30 am on Sunday morning to come forward. Information can be provided online or by calling 101, quoting incident 43250495078, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.