The town of Banbury, Oxfordshire, has been left reeling after a woman in her 30s was raped by a group of men in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church and the surrounding town centre in the early hours of Sunday, September 28, 2025. The attack, described by police and community leaders as “horrific,” has shocked the local community and prompted urgent appeals for information, as well as calls for calm and restraint amid swirling online speculation.
According to Thames Valley Police, the assault occurred sometime between midnight and 2:30 AM BST. Officers have confirmed they are conducting a thorough investigation to identify all those involved, with a strong focus on gathering evidence and encouraging witnesses to come forward. Detective Sergeant Mark Personius, leading the investigation, stated, “This is a horrific crime and Thames Valley Police is conducting a thorough investigation to identify the offenders. We are supporting the victim with specifically trained officers at this extremely difficult time.” (as quoted by Oxford Mail and BBC Oxfordshire).
One notable detail to emerge from the investigation so far is that one of the offenders has been described as white. However, police have cautioned that there are “no further verified descriptions” of the attackers at this stage. In response to rampant speculation, particularly regarding the possible ethnic background or origin of those involved, Thames Valley Police issued a statement: “We are aware of speculation circulating regarding the possible ethnic background or origin of the individuals connected to this incident. At this stage, we have no further verified description of those involved, and any assumptions being made are unfounded and unhelpful to the investigation. We can confirm there is no information at this stage to link this investigation to migrant accommodation.” (statement reported by BBC Oxfordshire and Thames Valley Police).
Police have also not publicly stated how many attackers are believed to have been involved. However, they are urgently appealing for a specific woman who may have tried to help the victim during the attack to come forward. Detective Sergeant Personius emphasized, “I am making a public appeal to a specific witness, a woman, who we believe may have tried to help the victim. At this stage, we don’t have a description of this Good Samaritan. However, 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.” (as reported in Banbury Guardian and Oxford Mail).
Given that Banbury town centre would have been busy on a Saturday night leading into the early hours of Sunday, police are also appealing to anyone else who was in the area between midnight and 2:30 AM 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 may help us, please get in touch,” Detective Sergeant Personius urged. Anyone with information is asked to contact Thames Valley Police online, by calling 101, or via a dedicated webpage for the investigation, quoting reference number 43250495078. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers.
In the aftermath of the attack, the churchyard at St Mary’s Church was cordoned off to allow for forensic examinations, and house-to-house as well as CCTV inquiries are underway. Police have thanked local residents and businesses for their ongoing support and cooperation during the investigation, noting the importance of community involvement in bringing those responsible to justice.
The impact of the assault has reverberated throughout Banbury. The local Member of Parliament, Sean Woodcock, expressed his deep concern, stating, “I know this will have shocked the entire community and all our thoughts are with the victim.” He also emphasized the importance of allowing police to conduct their investigation thoroughly and “to avoid any speculation.” (as quoted by BBC Oxfordshire).
The Banbury Town Council echoed these sentiments, with a spokesperson saying, “We are extremely shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the terrible incident that occurred in St Mary’s Churchyard in the early hours of Sunday morning. Our thoughts are with the victim and those close to them at this incredibly difficult time, as well as the wider community of Banbury who will no doubt have been affected by this news.”
Reverend Serena Tajima, vicar of St Mary’s Church, shared her sorrow over the attack, noting the particularly jarring context: “Our prayers are with the victim at this difficult time. 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.” The church was forced to cancel Sunday’s parish Eucharist and has been offering prayers for the victim and the community.
District councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke also voiced his horror, saying, “I am horrified about the shocking attack. My heart goes out to the victim.” Dr Okeke has encouraged all residents who might have information to come forward and reassured the community that police are working hard to ensure Banbury remains a safe place to live and visit.
To further support community safety and engagement, police have initiated a program called “A walk in the park,” where members of the public can meet with officers to discuss concerns and incidents. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for October 26 at Princess Diana Park, November 2 at Ruscote Park, and November 21 at People’s Park. Dr Okeke encouraged residents to participate, saying, “I would encourage the members of the community to take advantage of the programme to support the police in addressing crimes in our community.”
Throughout the investigation, police have repeatedly cautioned against the spread of unfounded rumors and speculation, particularly on social media. Officers have stressed that such speculation can hamper the investigation and cause unnecessary distress within the community. “Any assumptions being made are unfounded and unhelpful to the investigation,” police reiterated, urging the public to rely on verified information and official updates.
The victim continues to receive support from specially trained officers, and the investigation remains open and active. Detectives have described the attack as “horrific,” and the collective response from police, community leaders, and residents has been one of shock, sadness, and determination to see justice done.
As Banbury grapples with the aftermath of this terrible crime, the community’s resilience and solidarity are evident. The appeals for information, the steady support for the victim, and the commitment to due process and truth underscore the town’s resolve to confront and overcome such tragedies together.
