Police are now stressing that a town centre is a safe place at night after a woman withdrew allegations that she was raped.

The offence had allegedly taken place in Banbury in the early hours of October 13.

The 30-year-old woman claimed she had been dragged by the hair from St Mary's Church in Horsefair to an alleyway off North Bar, by a black attacker.

Supt John Liversidge, crime and operations manager for Northern Oxfordshire Police, said: "After a detailed investigation and interviews, we are now satisfied that no crime was committed."

He said: "The allegation has now been withdrawn."

The police probe included examination of CCTV film from the night.

Supt Liversidge added: "In the light of this, I want to re-assure the public that Banbury is a safe place to be - day or night. Any fear of being the victim of a random assault, sexual or otherwise, far outweighs reality."

He said: "Reports of rapes and other sexual assaults are treated very seriously and are sympathetically and thoroughly investigated."