POLICE this afternoon renewed an appeal for witnesses following the rape of a teenager in Great Milton.

At about 5pm on Wednesday, an 18-year-old woman was walking past the graveyard of St Mary's Church when she was grabbed by a man who took her into the graveyard and raped her.

The woman said the man was over 6ft tall, wearing a dark hooded jumper, 25-30 years old with an English accent.

Det Sgt Alan Clements from Thame CID said: "This attack occurred as Halloween celebrations were starting. We believe there may have been parents with their children out trick-or-treating in the village at the time of the attack.

"Were you out with your children in Great Milton at about 5pm? If so, please get in touch.

"Also, a man was seen sitting in a light-coloured people-carrier parked near the churchyard at 4pm. We would like to appeal for him to come forward because he may have vital information."

Local neighbourhood inspector Jim O'Ryan added: "We are taking steps to reassure the local community in Great Milton and nearby villages and will be increasing high-visibility patrols.

"Our officers will be out and about in Great Milton this evening, two days on from the time of the attack to reassure residents and to answer to the best of their ability any questions they may have.

"While the incident may be worrying for some, I would like to highlight that this sort of attack is very rare, particularly in an extremely low crime area like South Oxfordshire."

The Rev Victor Story, vicar at the church, said: "Certainly it has shocked the village because it is such a devastating thing to happen in a small community.

"People are quite shocked and rather frightened. It's very disturbing."

He said he had received numerous telephone calls since being made aware of the attack and had spoken to the headteacher at Great Milton Primary School, who yesterday contacted the parents of every pupil to let them know what had happened.

Mr Story said: "Last night, a lot of the children were out trick or treating, so in retrospect people are feeling very vulnerable.

"At the school, they were very concerned for their own little ones. People are quite frightened."

Christine Donnelly, who runs the village shop, said: "People are concerned because you don't see the police in the village. Usually it's an extremely peaceful place.

"I would always regard it as very safe and I have never had any qualms about being out after dark or on my own."

At The Bull pub in the centre of the village, residents were coming to terms with the news.

One villager said: "I have never known anything like this to happen here. It's not common knowledge to people yet, but it will be. It's a quiet village and it will be shocking when people realise.

"There are lots of young girls in the village - and you have got to think of their parents and their fears."

Det Sgt Clements can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you do not want to talk to police and do not want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.