POLICE are investigating the rape of a teenage girl in an alleyway early today.

The 18-year-old girl was walking along an alleyway between Mill Street and Belmont in Wantage at about 2.30am.

A man described as white, in his early 40s, clean shaven and wearing a dark jumper and jeans, attacked and then raped her.

Det Insp Paul Miller, of Wantage CID, said: "We need to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time, as they may have seen something that could help this investigation.

"If you were in the area then call us. Any information, no matter how insignificant you think it is, could be useful to us."

Insp Matt Bullivant, Wantage sector inspector, said: "I would like to reassure the community that the reported incident of a rape in the early hours of this morning is extremely rare in Wantage.

"We are carrying out a thorough investigation and are piecing together what happened. If you have information which could help then please contact us as soon as you can.

"This follows another serious incident in Wantage in which a man was stabbed on Sunday. There is absolutely no indication that the two incidents are connected. An arrest was made swiftly in connection with the stabbing and I am pleased with how the investigation is going.

"Wantage is still a safe place to live and although people should always take care, there is no cause to be concerned as long as you take the simple precautions you should always take when going out. Don't walk home on your own and if you are walking late at night, stay with friends.

"If you have information that could help with either inquiry please contact us on 0845 8 505 505."