Surrey Police Close Probe into Alleged Gang Rape in Epsom

Surrey Police have closed their investigation into an alleged gang rape outside Epsom Methodist Church after concluding that no sexual offence occurred. The force stated that the woman involved sustained an accidental head injury following a night out and made a confused report.

The incident, which reportedly happened between 2am and 4am on Saturday after the woman left Labyrinth nightclub, sparked protests in Epsom town center where hundreds gathered demanding police release suspect descriptions. Protesters threw objects like traffic cones at dozens of officers wearing helmets and holding shields, blocked roads causing traffic disruption, and targeted local hotels and residential properties over false claims they housed asylum seekers.

Surrey Police stated they lacked sufficient information to release suspect details, urging the public not to speculate. Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman emphasized that while lawful protest is respected, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated. Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Grahame clarified there was 'no evidence that asylum seekers or immigrants were involved' in the alleged incident.

The protests escalated with five people arrested on suspicion of public order offences and criminal damage after missiles were thrown at officers. All five, aged between 15 and 23 from across Surrey and London, have been released on bail. The scenes were dubbed 'shameful' and 'mindless' by Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend.

Surrey Police conducted an extensive examination of CCTV footage, house-to-house enquiries, interviewed witnesses, and performed forensic tests. They acknowledged that the initial lack of information in their appeal was due to vague descriptions given but are now confident that no offence occurred. Local officers will maintain a visible presence in Epsom over the coming days.

Businesses in Epsom reported significant economic damage from the protests, with retail and hospitality workers experiencing harassment, intimidation, and racial abuse. The Epsom Business Improvement District (BID) stated that shoppers avoided the town due to fear of encountering protesters. A heritage building suffered criminal damage costing £15,000, and incidents of theft included stealing eggs to pelt police and destroying floral displays around the town. Karen Pengelly, Epsom's BID manager, expressed hope for the town to focus on positives ahead of Surrey Day on 9 May.

According to BBC, misinformation about the Epsom incident began to circulate online, with many accounts on social media making false suggestions that the suspects were asylum seekers or migrants. Influential accounts on X (formerly Twitter) alleged police cover-ups and suggested they had intel about the suspects' identities. The unrest escalated when a group of protesters descended on Epsom a second time, entering a local hotel which did not house immigrants, leading to the arrival of riot police.

BBC also reported that the online chatter only calmed down when Surrey Police revealed that no sexual offence had occurred and their investigation was closed. Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend acknowledged that there are always lessons to be learnt regarding what the police put in the public domain, highlighting how legitimate concerns were exploited to push a more sinister narrative.