Thames Valley Police is no longer investigating a reported rape in Witney.

Officers began an investigation after a woman in her 20s reported she had been raped in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church in Witney in the early hours of Sunday morning by a man she did not know.

ALSO READ: Woman reports rape in Witney churchyard

Extensive enquiries have been undertaken since the initial report, and the police are now in a position to confirm that it is no longer investigating an incident of rape, and that no other investigations in relation to this incident are taking place.

Superintendent Emma Garside, Local Policing Commander for Cherwell & West Oxfordshire, said: “We received a report of a rape, and commenced an immediate urgent investigation into the alleged incident.

“However, following a thorough examination of CCTV footage in the local area, as well as speaking to potential witnesses, we are now satisfied that the incident has not occurred as reported.

“We would like to re-assure the people of Witney that we took the initial report very seriously and deployed a number of resources into investigating the report as a priority, including placing a scene-watch in the area of St Mary’s Church.

Russia shooting: several dead as gunman opens fire in Oxford's twin city of Perm

“It would not be helpful to speculate as to the reasons of the initial report,  but I would like to thank the public and local community for coming forward to support information which supported this investigation.

As a result of the investigation, at this stage, the police are no longer appealing for further information.

“The reported incident understandably caused a great deal of community concern. Attacks such as initially reported are mercifully rare and will always be treated extremely seriously and thoroughly investigated, and would re-iterate my thanks to the local community for coming forward with information.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.