Police are appealing for witnesses following a reported rape in the Broughton area of Milton Keynes.

Between around 6pm and 6.30pm on Monday (8/9), the victim, who was a woman aged in her thirties, was found by a member of the public in a wooded area near to Kemsley Crescent allotments in Broughton Park, reporting that she had been raped.

No arrests have been made, and a full investigation is under way.

Detective Inspector Rachel Wheaton, of Milton Keynes CID, lead the appeals by Thames Valley Police.

DI Wheaton said, “The victim is being supported by specially trained officers, and we have launched an investigation.

“This incident has occurred early in the evening on Monday, and I am appealing to anybody who witnessed any suspicious activity, or believes that they have any information that may assist this investigation to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police.

“At this stage, we have been unable to obtain a description of the offender from any witnesses or the victim, and so we are urgently appealing for anybody who has any information to contact us.

“I fully understand the concern incidents such as this will have in our local community, and I would like to reassure the public that we are investigating this incident as a priority.

“There is an increased police presence in the area, including reassurance patrols.

“I would urge you to please speak to an officer if you have any concerns, or have any information.

“You can also make a report online via our website or by calling 101, quoting reference 43250460523, or to report anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The Unite trade union has announced bus worker strikes from multiple Arriva depots, including Luton and Milton Keynes.

The dispute covers workers across Arriva the Shires and Arriva Kent Thameside across five depots. These are Luton, Milton Keynes, Stevenage, Ware and Hemel Hempstead.

Unite have announced 16 days of strikes between late September and mid-October, covering Tuesday 23 September – Friday 26 September, Wednesday 1 October – Saturday 4 October, Thursday 9 October – Sunday 12 October and Tuesday 14 October – Friday 17 October.

The union said, “Arriva have offered a below-inflation increase of just 65p per hour, equating to 3.82 per cent for a bus driver backdated to 1 January 2025. This is despite the fact in the last financial year Arriva – which operates in 11 European countries – was purchased by new American owners I Squared Capital and saw its total revenues reach €2.46bn.”

Around 800 bus drivers, engineers, cleaners and shunters are to take part in the strike action.

It is estimated that Arriva operates around 50 routes a day operate out of their Milton Keynes and Luton depots.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said in a statement, “This is a dispute entirely of Arriva’s own making and it is now responsible for the chaos that will hit commuters in the home counties.

“It is completely unacceptable to offer such a derisory pay increase in the current economic climate while making billions in revenue. Our members have the full support of Unite in their dispute.”

The union’s regional officer Jeff Hodge added, “Our members do a stressful and skilled job yet their employer thinks they can be short-changed with this insulting pay offer. Our message to Arriva is stark – make a pay offer that our members can accept or face the chaos of strikes across your network this autumn.”

In a statement, Arriva said, “Unite have voted to strike in Luton, Milton Keynes, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage and Ware, we are disappointed by this news and remain committed to finding a resolution.

“We will keep our customers updated”.

A free event organised by Milton Keynes City Council is set to host over 30 organisations offering advice on job applications, volunteering and training opportunities, and health and wellbeing.

The event, called ‘Back to Work, Back to You’, is open to all MK residents and will be held at Stantonbury Leisure Centre on Tuesday 7 October (11:00am – 2:00pm).

Some of the companies, charities and organisations attending include Milton Keynes City Council, MK College, Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH), The Parks Trust, Amazon, John Lewis, Age UK, and MK Museum. Local people are invited to join the friendly professionals to find out how to access social care, manage finances, find a new job, improve mental health and much more. A mini health check will also be on offer to all attendees.

Citizens Advice Milton Keynes will be hosting two employability workshops. These are free to join for residents.

11:15am – 12:00pm Creating smart CVs in the age of AI
12:30pm – 1:15pm Smash that interview with AI

Housing landlords will also be on hand to answer questions and give advice, including the Milton Keynes Council Housing Team, bpha, Peabody and Amplius.

Doors open at 11am with free parking onsite, disabled access and light refreshments available throughout.

Councillor Donna Fuller, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health, Community and Housing, said, “We’ve brought together loads of great organisations to make it easier for local people to find opportunities, help and support. Whether you want to improve your health and wellbeing or would like some guidance around CV writing and job search, there’s something for everyone. You don’t need to book so please do pop down and see what help is available.”

MK Dons boss Paul Warne accepted responsibility for a first-half display that ultimately cost his side in a home loss to Grimsby Town.

The Dons were 3-0 down at half-time against the Mariners, conceding 3 goals in less than 20 minutes and also having Jon Mellish sent off in a difficult opening period.

A second half comeback saw the Dons score at each end of the second half, but ultimately fall short in their aspiration to take a point.

Speaking after the game, Warne took responsibility, saying they had tried out a tactical tweak to try and exploit Grimsby’s formation only for it to backfire.

He said, “I have to own the first half. I went 4-4-2 as I thought if our two centre-forwards put pressure on their centre-halves, the way they play with full-backs that come inside, I thought we could stop them. We worked on it all week so in fairness to the lads, that’s on me.

“It’s just disappointing. They thoroughly deserved their lead at half-time, I’ve got no issues with that. We had to make changes during the half – Offord was on a booking and didn’t feel like he could get close or tackle so we had to change that.”

Warne ruminated that there was more than just the shape behind why Grimsby scored three goals, all of which came from moves down their left and the Dons’ right.

He said, “The goals, the shape was an issue, obviously, but none of the goals have come from a problem with the shape. They’ve come from missed tackles, not defending crosses or not stopping people coming inside. What could go wrong did go wrong in the first-half.

“I just feel like we let everyone down in the first 45 minutes.”

After the break, the Dons were able to improve in a reshuffle, frustrating Grimsby’s attack, scoring twice and playing more to his liking, but with Warne left with things to reflect on ahead of future assignments.

He said, “We were calm at half-time saying you can’t perform like that and need to show some integrity and effort. I just felt that second half, although we were a man down, it’s very difficult to criticise anything any player did. The work ethic and tackles were there. There was a bit more aggression and we weren’t trying to be too intricate and had much more of a goal threat. I leave knowing we have the players to perform but can’t perform at a level below where we should because against anyone in this league, you’re just not going to win.”

The Dons nearly stole a point late on when a Jack Sanders overhead kick narrowly cleared the bar, but Warne admitted it was just not to be.

He said, “Just from a pure keeping a 52 year old happy, if that overhead kick had gone in at the end, that would’ve absolutely ripped the roof off and been great. Not to be.”