NEIGHBOURS have been left shocked after a 27-year-old woman was allegedly raped in Wallingford.

A 27-year-old man from Oxford has been arrested following the incident, which took place in an alleyway near Norman Way at 11.30pm on Thursday. Forensic experts were yesterday scouring the scene at nearby park The Kinecroft for evidence until about 11.30am.

David Bright, 45, whose Croft Road home backs on to The Kinecroft, said: “It is rather disturbing.

“I have three little girls so it makes you feel rather uncomfortable.

“Wallingford is such a great place and stuff like that does not happen around here.”

A 31-year-old woman who lived nearby said: “It is a huge concern.

“We have got children and every evening I go for a walk on my own through the park for my daily exercise.

“We moved here just over two years ago from London thinking it was a lovely little Thames-side market town. This is horrible.”

A 40-year-old man, who also lives nearby, said: “The Kinecroft is a really special place for all of us.

“We were up late last night. We did not hear anything. It is really shocking.”

Mark Bradford, 40, of Croft Road, said: “The alleyway by our house is a thoroughfare for pedestrians to the town and it is usually quite peaceful. It is normally a great area.”

A pensioner who lives close to The Kinecroft said: “I was out here last night at about 8.30pm walking my dog.

“I would not think twice about walking although here in the dark normally. It is just horrid.”

Tony Ginn, manger of The Coach & Horses in The Kinecroft, said: “It is about time they put some CCTV out there.”

Det Insp John Turner, who is leading the investigation, said: “We will be talking in detail to the victim later and a man has been arrested and is currently in police custody pending further enquiries.”

Anyone with any information should contact police on 101 or anonymously on 0800 555 111.