Police have removed hate-campaign posters put up in Banbury by friends of an alleged rape victim.

The posters named a man wanted by police in connection with the alleged attack and warned residents in the Neithrop area of the town that the man's sister had moved into the area.

The man, Rashpal Singh Dhami, 36, disappeared shortly after the alleged rape, and police have been unable to trace him.

Police were called in on June 27 -- three days after the alleged attack, which was said to have taken place on an industrial estate in Banbury.

Dhami has not been seen since July 1.

The 17-year-old girl, who claimed she had been raped, spoke out this week saying she was afraid to go out alone.

The posters named Dhami's sister, gave her address, and claimed she was helping him to hide.

But police condemned the posters saying they were illegal under public order and harassment laws.

Det Sgt Steve Convey said: "While we fully understand the family's frustrations, there are certain lawful lines of inquiry that we must follow in cases such as this.

"We have conducted comprehensive local, national and international inquiries in an effort to find Mr Dhami and will continue to do so until we know where he is.

"At the moment, we are actively pursuing a number of live leads."

He said: "I would also point out that displaying posters giving the address of Mr Dhami's family is a criminal offence under both public order and harassment legislation.

"Any vigilante action taken by members of the public to find Mr Dhami will only divert valuable police time and resources, which could be spent trying to lawfully locate him."