AN eight-month police investigation into an alleged rape at an Autograss event in Herefordshire has finished with detectives saying they are now satisfied that no offence was committed.

Officers were called to the Border Counties meeting at Monkland last August after a woman reported a serious sexual assault in the early hours of the morning.

An extensive investigation followed, named Operation Oblique, with police working closely with members of the Autograss community to establish the precise circumstances of events.

During the inquiry, officers visited a subsequent Autograss meeting in Kent and placed messages on racing websites urging people to come forward with information.

Having interviewed numerous people who were at the meeting and analysing other evidence, including statements made by the complainant, officers have now concluded that the rape did not take place. This has since been substantiated by the woman involved.

A man who was arrested at the Monkland event has, as a consequence, been fully exonerated of any wrongdoing.

Chief Inspector Ivan Powell, who led the investigation, thanked the Autograss community for their co-operation and patience over the past eight months.

He said: “This was a very sensitive inquiry and, as with all allegations of this kind, was taken extremely seriously by the investigating team. “The nature of the reported incident caused clear concern among the Autograss community and it was important to conduct a very thorough investigation to understand the full circumstances.

“I would like to reassure the Autograss community that we have now concluded our investigations and are satisfied that the incident did not take place.”