Pc Andy Fiddler at the A420 lay-by where the rape took place Police believe a woman driver was lured into pulling over in a layby by a man pretending to need help and was then raped by an accomplice.

As reported in the final edition of yesterday's Oxford Mail, the knifepoint attack took place in bushes by a layby on the A420 on Monday, between 9.15pm and 9.45pm. The woman suffered head and stomach cuts.

Initially police thought the 26-year-old victim was enticed from the Swindon-bound carriageway of the road by a woman who appeared to be distressed.

But yesterday, Chief Inspector Dave Purnell said they now believed a man had lured her from her car. A second man threatened her with a knife as she was got out of her vehicle, dragged her to nearby bushes and raped her.

Mr Purnell said the woman, who is from Oxfordshire but who cannot be identified for legal reasons, suffered injuries which were serious but not life threatening.

He said: "She is with her family and partner. She spoke to specially trained officers and was able to provide some information which is forming part of the investigation.

"We are appealing to anyone who may have stopped their car or was driving along the A420 near the Little Chef."

On Tuesday, police carried out road checks on the A420 and part of the westbound carriageway was closed yesterday while forensic investigations continued.

Call police with information on 08458 505505 or leave messages with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Mr Purnell added: "We are not looking for any particular vehicle at the moment. What we are looking at is who may have stopped there so we can eliminate those cars from our inquiries.

"It is extremely rare for this type of incident to happen. In my experience of 22 years there is only a handful of times that I have worked with and have knowledge of this going on, that is why we are treating it so seriously.

"We want to bring the perpetrators into custody as quickly as possible so we can bring them to justice."

Police are not linking the rape to any other incidents.

Anyone who was in the area at the time should contact the police on 08458 505505 quoting crime reference number URN6729.