A WOMAN said she was taken into a churchyard and raped in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The woman, who is in her twenties, said she was walking along Church Green, Witney just after 1.30am when she was approached by a man she did not know.

Police have now dropped the investigation after extensive enquiries and examining CCTV.

After the initial report, investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Prescott-Mayling said: “We are in the initial stages of our investigation into a rape that was reported to the force in the early hours of this morning.

“A thorough investigation has started in earnest, including a trawl of CCTV in the area, taking statements from numerous witnesses, and forensic examinations at the churchyard of St Mary’s Church, where we have instated a scene watch.

“I would appeal to anyone with any information about the offence to contact Thames Valley Police immediately.

“The easiest way to contact the force is via our website or by calling 101, quoting investigation reference 43210422024.”