THE MAYOR of Didcot has said the town will not be scared by the "scum" who raped a woman in a town park last week.

St Edmonds Park became a crime scene last Tuesday after a woman in her 30s was attacked and found by a member of the public in nearby Newlands Avenue at 7pm.

Mayor Steve Connel condemned the perpetrator and urged anyone with any information to come forward to the police.

He said: "In all the years that I have lived in Didcot this is the most sophisticated police operation I have seen.

"They have had specialist detectives and a specific sexual abuse team here from day one.

"We cannot be intimidated by this type of vulgar behaviour, I know that after it happened I did not want my wife to do her normal run round the park but you should not have to stop what you would normally do because of this scum, we need to carry on and show we are not scared."

Officers investigating said the attack happened at about 6.45pm near gym equipment close to the park entrance in Newlands Avenue.

Following the attack the rapist ran away in the direction of Park Road and about 7pm members of the public phoned police to say they had found the woman in a distressed state.

Det Supt Paul Hayles said there was no evidence to suggest a link with the abduction and rape of a 14-year-old girl in Oxford on September 28.

The cordon that was around the popular park has since been lifted.

On Friday police launched an appeal for a dog walker to come forward who they believed had 'significant information' in relation to the attack.

Mr Connel added: "Please do come forward, even if you think it is a silly call, there are no silly calls because it means the police can then tick something off their list.

"They need as much information as they can so they can catch this individual.

"We do not want similar attacks happening again because he has not been caught."

Deputy local police area commander Ch Insp Graham Wharton said: "I am aware incidents of this nature can cause some concern in the local community.

"However, a team of detectives is working to identify and locate the offender.

"Officers are continuing to patrol the area and anyone who has any information or any concerns can approach and speak to a police officer."

Police told the Herald yesterday that no arrests have been made in connection with the attack.

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.