A boy raped a woman in her 70s after talking his way into her home on Remembrance weekend by claiming he wanted to know more about the war.

The teenager – thought to be between 14 and 16 – gained his victim’s trust by chatting to her for several minutes before pushing her to the floor and attacking her shortly after 9am on Saturday, police said.

Last night, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hayles labelled it a “horrifying and calculated attack” by a suspect so young, and added: “I have not come across these type of circumstances before.”

The woman is now recovering from her ordeal with support from her family and officers.

Police fear the youth may have tried other homes before finding a vulnerable target and are appealing for anyone who may have been visited by the boy to come forward.

The attacker went to the woman’s home in the Hardwick area of Banbury at about 9am and managed to get into her home by asking about the war and the elderly.

The victim used her Help The Aged panic alarm to call for help after he had left about 20 minutes later.

Mr Hayles said: “It is calculated and horrifying attack and it is particularly unusual. I think the question he used about wanting to know about the war could have been asked at any time of the year and so it may be a coincidence with this time of year.

“He was inside her house for about 20 minutes and the majority of it was talking and gaining her trust.”

The boy is described as white, aged between 14 and 16, with short, dark brown hair. He was wearing a zip-up jacket and jeans low on his waist.

Detectives are appealing for anyone to come forward if they have suspicions about teens who have previously displayed odd behaviour or attitudes.

The attack has shocked people in Hardwick. Leslie Harrison, 78, who lives on Durham Mews, added: “It makes me sick to hear about something like that.”

Rev David Jackson, of St Francis’ Church on Highlands, said: “It’s not a bad area. They are mostly decent folk.”

Mr Hayles said the attack was not being linked to any other sexual assaults in the county or areas neighbouring Banbury.

He added: “We are working as expeditiously as possible to ensure the offender is caught but I would like to reassure people that cases like this are very unusual.”

Anyone with information can call police on the force’s new number of 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.