Investigations are continuing into a suspected rape that occurred at a churchyard in the early hours of Sunday morning as police have arrested a man in connection with the incident.

The incident took place at St Clement's Church in Marston Road between 3am and 3.30am after a 20-year-old woman was approached by a man who allegedly took her into the churchyard and assaulted her.

A 46-year-old man was arrested overnight on Sunday on suspicion of raping the woman.

READ MORE: Oxford man arrested after 'rape' at St Clement's Church

Thames Valley Police believe the victim and suspect were outside Taylor's estate agents in St Clement's and were spoken to by members of the public who had left the nearby Half Moon pub.

thisisoxfordshire: The estate agents was covered with a blue sheet on Sunday The estate agents was covered with a blue sheet on Sunday (Image: Newsquest)

The door of the estate agents was covered with a blue sheet on Sunday amid ongoing investigations.

An employee in the building said that they had not been aware of the incident and that business was continuing as usual.

thisisoxfordshire: A police cordon outside St Clement's ChurchA police cordon outside St Clement's Church (Image: Liam Davies)

A barber from the Plain Barbers next door added they were not around at the time but had sent police CCTV footage recorded from the store.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Lisa Jones, of Oxford Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said: “We are continuing to investigate this incident and have made an arrest in connection with it.

“The victim is being supported by specially trained officers.

“I know that incidents such as this cause a great deal of concern, but I would like to reassure the local community that we have made an arrest and we do believe this to have been an isolated incident."

The community has been reacting to the police cordon being in place over the weekend.

An undergraduate at Oxford University, Izzy Tyler, who lives in a student house at London Place near the churchyard, said: "We're generally worried about walking home at night.

"You would like to think it would be safe as a main road."

thisisoxfordshire: There were no police at the church come Monday afternoon.There were no police at the church come Monday afternoon. (Image: Noor Qurashi)

Ali, 62, who has lived on Cherwell Street for 24 years, added: "I've been here since 1999 and I've never had any problem.

"I think it's a safe area - I come home from work sometimes at 1am and park my car here and there is no problem."

Police are appealing to two specific witnesses who may have "crucial information" that could assist the investigation.

It is believed that the man and a woman intervened in an incident between the suspect and the victim in the area of The Plain Roundabout at around 3am.

The individuals are urged to get in touch with Thames Valley Police, either by contacting them online via the website or by calling 101, quoting the reference 43230520207.