Scroll for more pictures

POLICE are continuing their hunt for two men into a third day after a 14-year-old schoolgirl was abducted and raped Oxford.

Searches have centred on a field near Marston Brook, which runs adjacent ro Arlington Drive - around a mile away from where she was snatched in Summertown.

Forensic officers scoured the field near Cavendish Drive, where the girl ran for help.

This evening Thames Valley Police thanked members of the public for their support and said it is not yet linking the incident with other sex attacks in the area.

Det Supt Chris Ward, head of the force's major crime unit, said: “I would like to thank the public for their assistance in connection with this extremely worrying incident.

“Our enquiry centre has received a substantial number of calls in the last 24 hours and we are currently working through the information and following up any significant lines of enquiry.

“Specially trained officers continue to offer this very vulnerable victim support, and we are slowly and sensitively trying to piece together more information from the victim to aid the investigation.

“At this time we are not linking this incident with others, but we are keeping an open mind”.

This morning, police cars were spotted patrolling the streets near where she was grabbed with a constant watch at the scene.

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

A constant watch near the scene

What we know so far: 

  • Girl, 14, was abducted and raped while on her way to school in Summertown
  • She was snatched just before 8.30am and raped by both men before either escaping or being dumped one mile way in Marston nearly four hours later
  • The girl's mum and school told police at 8.45am that she had not turned up to school, and an immediate search began
    • Two white men being hunted by police as the force steps up patrols in the area
    • Officers say the key is finding the silver car the men used in the abduction - possibly a Volkswagen
    • Police appealed to anyone who may have dashcam footage or CCTV near the junction of Marston Ferry Road and Banbury at 8.30am on Wednesday.
    • Det Supt Ward did not rule out links with other recent sexual assaults in Oxford 
    • Extra police patrols out on the streetsOxford Mail:
      • Oxford Mail:

The area where police forensics were seen searching

Police say the victim of a serious sex attack on her way to school in Oxford was 14, and officers believe she was raped by the two men who abducted her.

At a press conference Det Supt Chris Ward said she was raped, probably by two men, after being abducted in the area of Marston Ferry Road and Banbury road as she walked to school in her uniform.

It is believed she may have been "hugged" after being approached by a white man who then forced her into a silver hatchback, possibly a Volkswagen between 8am and 8.40am.

A second white man was waiting in the vehicle.

Police said they believed the victim was raped by both men while inside the car at a location which is not yet known.

Both men are being hunted by police and the car is "key" to the investigation.

Det Supt Ward said the force was doing all it could to catch those responsible as quickly as possible.

He said: "As a parent myself I know how difficult this is for people and how shocking it is.

"The road would have been busy with commuters and pople on the school run.

"We are asking anyone who saw a silver hatchback vehicle acting suspiciously in the area of Banbury Road and Marston Ferry Road during rush hour.

“I would specifically like to appeal to any cyclists and drivers who passed through the area, to check any camera footage from a head or dash camera, to see if they any footage matching the circumstances of the incident.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area and there will be a very visible police presence whilst the investigation continues.

“We are treating this investigation with an utmost priority and every effort is being made to identify and apprehend the offenders".

Headteacher of The Cherwell School Chris Price praised his pupils for showing "great maturity" following the incident.

He told parents: "Most of you will, by now, be aware of the reports of the abduction of and sexual assault on a school girl in Oxford yesterday morning.

"Given these circumstances I thought it important to write to you again at the end of a day which has been worrying for all of us.

"I wanted to stress how sensible our students have been – they showed great maturity and made the most of their learning as usual.

"It is, of course, our inset day tomorrow so we won’t be seeing the students again until Monday. 

"We will be giving them regular advice in tutor time and assemblies about looking out for each other and staying safe."

The victim was dumped in Marston three hours later and knocked on a door in Cavendish Drive, which is when police became aware of what had happened.

Police do not think the victim knew her attackers. 

Det Supt Ward did not rule out links with other sexual assaults in Oxford.

Police said extra patrols have been deployed on the streets this morning and searches have taken place.

Officers have urged parents to make sure their children stay in groups while walking to and from school.

The victim is begin offered ongoing support by specially trained officers.

Oxford High has warned parents and students to be on alert, but it is not known if the girl attacked was a pupil at the private girls' school.

Are you a parent or resident concerned by this incident? Contact us here.


Manual labourer Richard Knight, from Chipping Norton, was working on Cavendish Drive yesterday and said he saw an ambulance arrive to pick the girl up.

Oxford Mail:

He said: "It's shocking, I have three daughters in school and it's horrible to hear this has happened in a quiet neighbourhood."

Another worker on the site, Alex Wood, said: "We were working and we saw the girl there. She had dark hair and was in uniform. She had a jacket on and a skirt.

"She was about 14 or 15. We didnt really pay much attention until the ambulance rapid response car turned up.

"We've been here about five weeks and it always seemed like a nice area - very quiet."

Girls at Oxford High School have been told to be alert on their way to school and travel in groups wherever possible.

It is believed pupils at the school recently discussed safety scenarios with staff and how to handle situations such as this one.

Police forensics officers are currently in Cavendish Drive hunting for clues to find the attackers. 

Police have said she was subjected to a "serious sexual assault".

Police say the girl was grabbed in the Marston Ferry Road/Banbury Road area

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Simon Steel said: "We are in the early stages of this investigation and we are carrying out extensive enquiries, but I would appreciate the public's help in this very serious incident.

"This happened in what would have been a very busy area at this time of the day and I appeal to anybody who was in that area and saw an incident which matches the above report to call police immediately.

"It is possible you may have witness this incident and may not have realised the severity of the situation."

Oxford Mail:

Anyone who has any information is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number URN 1631 28/09/16.

County councillor for the area John Howson said he had been in touch with schools in the area to offer assistance.

He said: "There is an urgency for the police to reassure the community.

"Clearly it is good advice to walk in groups but that is not always possible.

"My view is that if I can help the schools in any way I will do so."

Neighbours and witnesses around Cavendish Drive say they are shocked at the horrific attack. 

Oxford Mail:

Emrys Harris has lived in the road since 1962 and said: "This was always regarded as a safe area. It's terrible for that to happen around here - it's normally a very quiet area."

Oxford residents have been shocked by the news overnight.

Dr Rachel Clarke, a campaigning junior doctor, tweeted her shock and urged people to stay safe.

Charity Action Against Abduction said a Freedom of Information request to Thames Valley Police had revealed nine children were abducted by people other than their parents in the policing area in 2014/15.

There were a further 12 kidnaps in the region.

Supt Christian Bunt, LPA Commander for Oxford, said: “This is a very concerning incident for all involved and I appreciate that it must be very concerning for the public.

“In light of this we are stepping up patrols in the area to provide reassurance and there will be a very visible police presence whilst the investigation continues.

“I would advise anyone worried about this incident to please speak to a neighbourhood officer or contact 101, or if you are worried about a child’s safety please call 999.

“I would ask parents to consider the safety of their children and if they are walking to school make sure they try to keep in groups.

“ I would also ask people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious."

An NSPCC spokesman said: "This has been a horrific experience for the girl and her family and parents in the area will understandably be very worried, but thankfully random abductions of children are relatively rare.

"It's essential that the perpetrators are caught before they harm any other children and that the girl is offered whatever support she needs to recover and to give evidence if a successful prosecution is brought."

OTHER POPULAR STORIES TODAY