A 15-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested on suspicion of raping a teenage girl at a Cowley park.

Neighbours spoke of their shock over the alleged incident, which police said happened near the basketball court in Hollow Way Park on Friday night.

Officers stated a 15-year-old girl had been with a group of teenagers in the park when the attack happened at about 8.30pm.

The boy was arrested in the early hours of Saturday and was bailed that day until May 8.

The park was cordoned off on Friday while police carried out their enquiries.

A Hollow Way resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I saw there were lots of police cars around, but I had no idea it would be something like this.

“It’s just not something you expect in a place where lots of the kids play.”

Neighbours said families regularly use the park, which includes a play area, basketball court and green space for ball games.

One mum who lives opposite told the Oxford Mail: “You often get lots of groups of teenagers around there in the evening. The basketball court is quite popular and they like to sit in the little wooden play hut there and hang out. But I would never expect anything like this to happen. It’s horrible.”

She added: “There were lots of police there but we didn’t know what was happening.”

Investigating officer Det Sgt John Linsdell said: “Our inquiry is at a very early stage and we are treating this matter very seriously.

“I would ask anyone who was in the area at the time or who has any other information which may assist us with our investigation to come forward as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or call charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.