Woman in her 20s is dragged into churchyard and raped in Oxfordshire town as police launch probe

 A woman was taken into a churchyard and raped in the early hours of this morning.

The victim, a woman in her twenties, was walking along Church Green, in Witney, Oxfordshire, just after 1.30am, when she was approached by a man she did not know.

The man then took the victim into the churchyard of St Mary's Church and raped her.

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Thames Valley Police said a woman, in her 20s, was taken into the churchyard of St Mary's Church, Witney, Oxfordshire (pictured, stock image), and raped in the early hours of this morning

Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Prescott-Mayling said: 'We are in the initial stages of our investigation into a rape that was reported to the force in the early hours of this morning.

'A thorough investigation has started in earnest, including a trawl of CCTV in the area, taking statements from numerous witnesses, and forensic examinations at the churchyard of St Mary's Church, where we have instated a scene watch.

'I would appeal to anyone with any information about the offence to contact Thames Valley Police immediately.

'The easiest way to contact the force is via our website or by calling 101, quoting investigation reference 43210422024.