Arrest made as police investigate serious sexual assault

A 39 year-old from Wantage has been arrested in connection with rape and sexual assaults investigation in Wantage and Grove.

At around 11.15pm on Tuesday, a woman in her late teens was approached by an unknown man riding a bicycle while she was walking alone along Grove Road. After speaking briefly with her, she was led towards an area behind Mably Way, where she was raped. The victim is being supported by specially trained officers.

The offender is described as a man of mixed ethnic background, believed to be in his mid-thirties, approximately 5ft 6ins tall, with short black hair.

Officers are also investigating one sexual assault and one attempted sexual assault reported in the local area last week and are keeping an open mind as to whether there may be any link to the rape reported on Tuesday.

The offender is described as a man of mixed ethnic background, approximately 5ft 6ins tall, and had acne scarring on his face.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart May, who is leading this investigation, said: “I would like to thank the public for their overwhelming support and the information they have already provided to us since we made a public appeal yesterday.

“it is positive that we have now made an arrest, but I would continue to urge the public to come forward with any information that may support our investigation as it really does help.

“Our investigation continues at a pace, with additional officers deployed across the area to complete enquiries and provide visible reassurance patrols so if you have any information, questions or concerns then please speak to them.”