Epsom church minister condemns ‘intimidating’ protests after rape allegation

A church minister has condemned “intimidating” protests in response to an alleged rape outside her church in Epsom, saying “hate cannot drive out hate”.

Nothing of “this scale of horror” has happened in the Surrey town before, Reverend Catherine Hutton of Epsom Methodist Church said after a woman reported she had been attacked.

A woman in her 20s is believed to have been followed and assaulted outside the church in Ashley Road after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub on Saturday between 2am and 4am, according to police.

Surrey Police said they do not have enough information to release descriptions of the suspects.

A protest was held on Wednesday evening in Epsom town centre to demand more information from police about the alleged incident, including details about the suspects.

Dozens of police officers were wearing helmets and holding shields, with objects appearing to be thrown at them.

The protest was promoted online by Danny Tommo, a former associate of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson.

Ms Hutton said there had been a “universal outpouring of anger” in the community this week.

She told the Press Association: “I was getting off the train at 5 o’clock and the protest was starting to gather. It was intimidating.

“Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that, and that is why we are having an act of hope for the community so we can stand together and declare we are good people.”

She has urged people to stand together outside her church on Thursday and declare the community are “good people”.

“Everybody in the community that I have spoken to, there has been a universal outpouring of anger, and a sense of wanting to come together in solidarity to say this is unacceptable”, Ms Hutton added.

“Standing for freedom for women to move around without being violated.

“We are absolutely horrified, shocked and appalled that men could feel that they had the right to violate a woman in such a calculated and disgusting way.

“What is most important at this time is justice for that woman and that she is able to rebuild her life in some way.”

Asked if anything like this had happened previously, Ms Hutton said: “Not to my knowledge and certainly not at this scale of horror.”

On Wednesday evening, footage posted on social media showed a large crowd of protesters congregating in Epsom town centre.

During the demonstration, a letter was read out in which a resident asked for more information and reassurance from the police after the assault, particularly on whether any suspects had been identified and detained and if there was still a risk to the public.

The group also blocked the road, causing disruption to motorists, before leaving the scene at around 8pm, according to police.

Mark Laxton, an Epsom resident who joined the protest on Wednesday, said: “I was there to support, you don’t want things like this happening on your doorstep.

“All people want is answers because no one is safe any more.

“There was me and around 200-300 other people, it was all set up online.

“No woman is safe and women should be. You hardly see police walking the streets and that’s what frustrates people.

“Hopefully we will have made them think.”

Subhir Singh, owner of Epsom Dry Cleaners, shut his shop as the protest was happening on Wednesday evening.

He told PA: “They first started shouting at the police and then some people started throwing eggs at them.

“It is not nice what’s been happening, someone above the police needs to do something.”

Madhur Gupta, who works at Epsom Food and Wine on Epsom high street, told PA: “All the police came around 5.30pm and told us to close the shop. I think all the shops closed after the protest started.”

East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said: “We respect the right to lawful protest and will facilitate this wherever possible where it is safe to do so. However, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated, and we will always take robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.”

In August last year, police forces were told to share suspects’ ethnicity and nationality with the public after authorities were accused of covering up offences by asylum seekers.

Garrington Property Finders named Epsom the 12th most desirable place to live in England and Wales in its 2026 list.

It said the average cost of a home in the area is £712,105.

Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident outside the church have been urged to contact Surrey Police quoting reference number PR/45260041426.

Information can also be provided anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or using the online form.