Protests broke out in a Surrey town amid a police investigation after a woman was raped by several men who followed her home from a nightclub.
Footage posted on social media showed a large crowd of protesters gathering in the town centre on Wednesday evening. The demonstrations are understood to have been sparked by a Surrey Police statement saying the force does not have sufficient information to release descriptions of the suspects.
The force said it “respects the right to lawful protest” but warned criminal offences and public disorder “will not be tolerated”.
In a previous statement, police had said they are currently unable to issue descriptions of any suspects following the alleged incident in the early hours of Saturday morning, but added they are “working hard” to identify those involved.
Dozens of police officers could be seen wearing helmets and holding shields, with objects appearing to have been thrown at them. It is understood no arrests were made at the demonstration, which ended at around 8pm.
Officers said a heightened police presence in the area would continue over the weekend.
The alleged rape is believed to have taken place on Saturday between 2am and 4am outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road.
The victim, aged in her twenties, said she was followed after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub and then attacked, Surrey Police said in a social media post.
On Wednesday evening, East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said there had been a “significant police presence” in Epsom town centre to “support the group’s right to lawful protest”.
“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 added.
“Surrey Police works with all those seeking to protest, along with our partners and the local community, to ensure everyone’s views can be heard while at the same time encouraging them to always act lawfully.”
In a prior statement, Surrey Police urged people not to speculate about the descriptions of the suspects.
“I understand the distress and concern that this incident has caused, both for the victim herself and amongst our local communities, and I want you to reassure you that we are working hard to progress this investigation,” the force said.
“While we have already carried out extensive enquiries, we do not have sufficient information at this time to update you with the descriptions of the suspects.
“I appreciate that this causes increased concern, and I can assure you that we will update you with these descriptions as soon as we are able to do so. In the meantime, I would urge people not to speculate about the descriptions of these suspects as this may lead to additional tensions within our local communities.
“I would also like to reassure you that we have stepped up patrols in the area and this increased police presence will continue over the weekend.
“While we continue to progress our investigation, we would urge anyone with any information who has not already come forward to do so as a matter of urgency.”
Epsom Methodist Church said it would be holding a “community act” on Thursday night to “raise our voices for all women who are vulnerable”.
Reverend Catherine Hutton told the BBC the attack was "horrifying and completely shocking", but criticised the protest as having been "pretty intimidating".
She said the event was intended to be a way for people to express any "feelings of compassion and outrage in a meaningful and positive way".
Epsom MP Helen Maguire said the protest had been hijacked by "right-wing online activists" who wanted to "fan the flames of divisiveness", the BBC reported.
Merseyside Police was criticised for not revealing the ethnicity of Axel Rudakubana when he was arrested on suspicion of murder after he killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July 2024.
Within hours of the attack, posts spread on the internet which claimed the suspect was a 17-year-old asylum seeker who had come to the country by boat.
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 carried out by asylum seekers.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson previously said the government was “very supportive” of forces being as open and transparent as possible when charging decisions are announced.
“We're now saying that should then include nationality and ethnicity, unless there's a very good reason not to do so,” she told Sky News.
But she warned disinformation could still spread if ethnicity information is released.
Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area at the time 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 555 111 or using its online form.
