Epsom alleged gang rape sparks riots and far-right protests in Surrey

A woman in her 20s reportedly raped outside Epsom Methodist Church triggered violent protests. Surrey Police say they have found "no evidence of the offence as reported."

Riots erupt in Epsom after alleged gang rape outside church

Protesters clashed with riot police in Epsom, Surrey, on Wednesday evening following the alleged rape of a woman in her 20s in the early hours of Saturday, 11 April, standard.co.uk reports. The victim says she was followed after leaving Labyrinth nightclub on Friday evening and was reportedly attacked between 2am and 4am outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road by several men.

Crowds were filmed on social media throwing objects at officers holding shields as roads in the town centre were blocked until around 8pm, when demonstrators eventually dispersed.

Surrey Police: 'No evidence as reported'

Surrey Police have stated they found no evidence corroborating the incident as it was initially described. "We have not found any evidence of the offence as reported but the investigation is ongoing," a force spokesperson said.

Officers added that the limited nature of the information available had prevented any suspect descriptions being released. "No descriptions have been released as the information about the incident and potential suspects is so limited," the statement read. The force also directly addressed speculation about the suspects' backgrounds: "To address the specific commentary, there is no evidence that asylum seekers or immigrants were involved."

CCTV footage is being reviewed and a number of witnesses have already been interviewed. The victim is being supported by a specialist Sexual Offences Liaison Officer.

Far-right figures promote demonstrations

The protest had been organised in part by Danny Tommo, a former associate of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, who had called on followers to demand that police release suspect descriptions. Outrage spread rapidly across social media, with far-right activists amplifying the case and stoking speculation about suspect ethnicity that police say is unsupported by their investigation.

Surrey Police warned on Thursday morning that crime and disorder in reaction to the alleged rape would not be tolerated, and urged the public to refrain from speculating about suspect descriptions.

Police chief addresses public concern

East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said officers had maintained a significant presence in the town centre to support the right to lawful protest while minimising disruption. "I appreciate that this may have caused concern to people in the town centre, and I would like to reassure you that our priority was to ensure the safety of the wider public, as well as the safety of those involved in the protest," he said.

A resident's letter read aloud at Wednesday's demonstration requested more information from police, asking specifically whether any suspects had been identified or detained and whether a risk to the public remained. Several protesters told journalists they were "shocked" and "terrified" that no arrests had been made.

MP condemns violence; church plans community act

Epsom MP Helen Maguire condemned the disorder in a post on X. "While I support peaceful protest and understand that members of our community are rightly angry after the appalling assault on a young woman, those who are turning to disruption and intimidation cannot be allowed to do so," she wrote. She described the blocking of roads, damage to police vehicles, and intimidation of officers as "completely unacceptable", and told those who had travelled into Epsom from outside the area to cause disruption to "take it elsewhere."

Epsom Methodist Church — outside which the alleged attack occurred — announced it would hold a community event on Thursday to "raise our voices for women who are vulnerable and all who are victimised." Reverend Catherine Hutton described the alleged attack as "horrifying and completely shocking" but characterised the protest itself as "pretty intimidating."

Protest organisers meet police

Organisers of a separate residents' protest held a private, hour-long meeting with Chief Superintendent Chapman at Epsom Police Station on Thursday. Billy Cooper and a man named Pete, who declined to give his surname, said they left the meeting "reassured" but not "satisfied."

Speaking afterwards, Mr Cooper said: "There'll be something released tomorrow from the police. So, we're happy with what they're saying at the moment. So it's just a case now of waiting to see what gets released tomorrow."

Pete said the two would wait to see what police published on Friday before deciding whether to share their own account of the discussion. "If we feel like they haven't released anything that we've discussed in there this evening, then we'll release that," he said.

Mr Cooper added: "At the end of the day, they're doing their job. They're doing what they can. In terms of police and public engagement, it was very reassuring."

According to social media posts attributed to Mr Tommo, Chapman had also agreed to a face-to-face meeting with local residents on Thursday evening.

Source: The Sun