Four arrested in ‘public disorder’ after alleged rape outside Surrey church

Four people have been arrested during a protest in Epsom after police said there is no evidence that immigrants or asylum seekers were involved in an alleged rape outside a church.

Demonstrators gathered on a residential street in the Surrey town on Monday evening, with riot police at the scene.

Officers said the protest “escalated to public disorder”, with eggs and beer cans being thrown and a person appeared to try to climb on top of a police van.

Surrey Police had received a report that a woman in her 20s had been followed and assaulted outside a church in Ashley Road after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub on Saturday April 11 between 2am and 4am.

There was some public anger that the force had not released the ethnicity of any suspects but Surrey Police said this was because “the information about the incident and potential suspects is so limited”.

The protest on Monday follows a demonstration on Wednesday, when objects were thrown at officers.

Surrey Police have warned that “robust action” will be taken against anyone who commits a criminal offence in the protests.

In an update posted on the Epsom and Ewell Beat Facebook page on Monday evening, the force said: “Police are in attendance at an organised protest in Epsom which has escalated to public disorder, including missiles being thrown at them.

“Officers have surrounded a residential property and nearby hotels after they were targeted by protesters purporting that they were locations housing those seeking asylum.

“This is not the case and is wholly inaccurate information. The escalating behaviour of some of the protesters and the threat to officer safety has required officers to put on full protective public order uniform.

“Currently we have made four arrests, and we will continue to deal with criminal offences and public disorder, taking robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.”

Officers said there would be an increased police presence in the town after the protest finished.

The force previously said: “We are aware that speculation and concern about the report we received remains, and we reiterate that our inquiries remain ongoing.

“These inquiries have included reviewing an extensive amount of CCTV footage from the area, carrying out forensics investigations and conducting house-to-house inquiries.

“To date, we have not found any evidence that the offence took place as reported.”

Police have urged anyone with CCTV, dashcam or helmet camera footage to contact them online, or via 101, quoting the reference number PR/45260041426.