Thames Valley Police have launched a major investigation after a woman was gang raped in the grounds of St Mary's Church in Banbury, Oxfordshire. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 28, with police confirming the victim, a woman in her 30s, was assaulted by multiple men in the churchyard and surrounding town center area. Detective Sergeant Mark Personius described the incident as a "horrific crime" and confirmed specially trained officers are supporting the victim.

Investigators are making a specific appeal to locate a woman who they believe attempted to intervene during the assault. DS Personius stated: "I am making a public appeal to a specific witness, a woman, who we believe may have tried to help the victim. At this stage we don't have a description of this Good Samaritan, but if you believe you are the woman, please contact police as you may have vital information." Police have not released descriptions of the attackers beyond indicating one was described as white.

Authorities are urging anyone who was in Banbury town center between midnight and 2:30 am to review any available footage from CCTV, dashcams, or mobile phones. A dedicated webpage has been established to allow direct uploading of potential evidence. The church canceled Sunday's parish Eucharist following the attack, with church officials confirming they are praying for the victim as forensic teams maintain a cordon around the crime scene.

Community leaders expressed shock at the violent incident, with local councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke telling media that the attack has deeply affected the community. "I know this will have shocked the community," Okeke said. "I would like to reassure all residents that the police are doing their best to ensure that Banbury remains a safe place to live and visit." Police continue to conduct house-to-house enquiries and encourage anyone with information, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, to come forward by calling 101 and quoting incident number 43250495078.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."