Ongoing situation in Epsom
23 April 18:30pm
This is an update in relation to a report of a rape in Epsom which we received in the early hours on Saturday, 11 April.
A thorough investigation, including an extensive examination of CCTV footage of the woman’s movements, house to house enquiries, interviewing witnesses and forensic tests, has been carried out. Through this examination of all evidence, we can conclude that no sexual offence occurred on this occasion, and we are closing the investigation.
What has become clear is that a woman in her 20s during a night out in Epsom, sustained an accidental head injury prior to making a confused report.
The woman involved has given us permission to share this information with you and she continues to be supported by relevant services.
To be clear, we take every report of sexual offending seriously, and any such report is treated with sensitivity. To do this, it is imperative that the appropriate time is allowed to complete a thorough investigation and support is given to the complainant to progress enquiries at their own pace. This limits what information we are able to release publicly.
At the early stages of this investigation, we issued an appeal for any witnesses or information that could help us progress our enquiries and identify any potential suspects. There was a lack of information in our initial appeal particularly regarding potential persons of interest. This was because the descriptions given were vague and limited. We recognise this caused concern amongst the community. We are now confident that there was no offence, and there were no suspects.
Our local officers will maintain a visible presence in Epsom over the coming days so please speak to them if you have any concerns or questions.
5 May 9:29am
Five A total of 10 people have now been arrested as part of an investigation into violent disorder in Epsom Town Centre on Wednesday 15 and Monday 20 April.
On 17 April, an 18-year-old man from Banstead was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
On 20 April a 23-year-old man from Richmond-upon-Thames was arrested on suspicion of public order offences. He was further arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
On 21 April:
• A 21-year-old man from Epsom was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
• A 20-year-old man of no fixed address arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
• A 15-year-old boy from Purley was arrested on suspicion of public order offences. He was further arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
On 23 April:
• A 12-year-old boy from Epsom was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
• A 12-year-old girl from Epsom was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
• An 11-year-old boy from Epsom was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
On 24 April, a 16-year-old boy from Leatherhead was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
On 27 April, a 20-year-old man from Epsom was arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
All 10 have been released from custody with bail conditions and the investigation is ongoing.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen said: “Whilst we support the right to lawful protest, we will investigate those suspected of committing criminal offences and causing damage, disruption, and disorder.''
23 April 14:50pm
Five people have been arrested as part of an investigation into violent disorder in Epsom Town Centre on Wednesday 15 and Monday 20 April.
A 15-year-old-boy from Purley, an 18-year-old man from Banstead, a 20-year-old man of no fixed address, a 21-year-old man from Epsom, and a 23-year-old man from Richmond-upon-Thames have all been arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
The 15-year-old boy and 23-year-old man have also been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. All five have been released from custody with bail conditions and the investigation is ongoing.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen said: "Whilst we support the right to lawful protest, we will investigate those suspected of committing criminal offences and causing damage, disruption and disorder.
"We continue to review footage to identify those responsible and will take appropriate action against them."
23 April 11:03am
Do you know these men?
UPDATE: Both men have now been identified and are assisting police with enquiries.
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Detectives are releasing images of two people we believe may be able to assist with our investigation following public disorder last Wednesday (15 April), in Epsom town centre.
If you recognise either of the people pictured, or you recognise yourself, please contact us quoting PR/45260043314.
If you would rather not speak to police, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
20 April 19:07pm
An increased policing presence will remain in Epsom town centre following a protest and subsequent disorder this evening (20 April).
Four people remain in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of offences, including criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker, during the disorder.
The protest started at 5pm outside Epsom train station before individuals targeted local hotels and residential properties with claims that these were housing people seeking asylum, which is inaccurate information.
We recognise that this will have had an impact on local residents and businesses, and neighbourhood officers will continue to engage with our local communities over the coming days.
We will continue to review footage of this evening’s incident to identify those responsible for any further criminal offences and take appropriate action against them.
FURTHER UPDATE FOLLOWING PROTEST THIS EVENING:
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.
Our original post can be found below:
We are currently present at a protest in Epsom town centre which started earlier this evening (20 April).
Public order trained officers are currently at the scene.
While we respect the right to lawful protest, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated. Robust action will be taken against anyone who commits a criminal offence.
There may be some disruption in the town centre while this continues, and we ask that people stay away from the area.
20 April 13:35pm
Following on from the update we provided to you on Friday in relation to the report of a rape in Epsom in the early hours of Saturday, 11 April, we are sharing further information with you today.
We continue to engage with our local communities as we have done over the weekend, with officers remaining in Epsom to provide reassurance and to answer any concerns or questions residents may have. Our increased police presence in the town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings was specifically to address concerns about women’s safety.
We are aware that speculation and concern about the report we received remains, and we reiterate that our enquiries remain ongoing. These enquiries have included reviewing an extensive amount of CCTV footage from the area, carrying out forensics investigations and conducting house-to-house enquiries. To date, we have not found any evidence that the offence took place as reported.
We are aware of reports of groups organising gatherings in the wake of last week’s report. We will continue to work with those seeking to protest, along with our partners and the local community, to ensure everyone’s views can be heard.
While we respect the right to lawful protest and will always aim to balance the rights of all parties involved, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated, and we will always take robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.
We will continue to provide regular updates throughout the week as the investigation progresses and to address concerns.
17 April 15:45pm
Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing, Sarah Grahame, provides an update below following a report of a rape in Epsom in the early hours on Saturday (11 April):
Over the past week, there has been widespread speculation and commentary regarding this report. We are aware of the strength of feeling this has created, and of the frustration caused by our limited public comment on the matter.
During this time, we have been investigating in depth to establish the sequence of events and to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported incident. We have reviewed an extensive amount of CCTV footage from the area. We have also been interviewing potential witnesses, carrying out forensics investigations and conducting house-to-house enquiries. To date, we have not found any evidence of the offence as reported but the investigation is ongoing.
There has been much speculation about the non-release of a description of any suspects, especially regarding the ethnicity. No descriptions have been released as the information about the incident and potential suspects is so limited. To address the specific commentary, there is no evidence that asylum seekers or immigrants were involved.
If you have any information or any CCTV, dashcam, or helmet camera footage, please contact us via direct message or by calling 101, quoting PR/45260041426.
We appreciate that you want information. We will continue to tell you as much as we can, to engage with you, to reassure you and to address concerns. We ask for space and time to work through the investigation.
There will be an increased police presence in Epsom over the weekend.
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15 April 22:06pm
Many of you will be aware that there has been a significant police presence, including specially trained public order officers, in Epsom town centre this evening (15 April) dealing with a protest which started just before 5pm.
Officers were deployed to the scene to assess the situation and engage with the protesters.
During the protest the group blocked the road, causing disruption to motorists in the town centre.
The protesters left the scene around 8pm.
A number of officers will remain in the town centre this evening to provide reassurance.
East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said: “There was a significant police presence in Epsom town centre this evening to support the group’s right to lawful protest and minimise disruption to the local community.
“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.
“I also appreciate that there was some disruption in the town centre while the protest was taking place and I would like to thank all those affected for their patience.
“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.
“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.”
15 April 15:45pm
We are aware that there is continued concern amongst the local community following a report of a rape which we received in the early hours on Saturday (11 April).
We would like to reassure you that we are working diligently to establish the sequence of events and to clarify the circumstances and the details of those involved in the incident which is reported to have taken place between 2am and 4am outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road.
As part of this investigation, we have already interviewed a number of witnesses and carried out extensive house-to-house enquiries. We are also reviewing CCTV footage from the route the victim took around the time of the incident to build a picture of what happened.
Unfortunately at this stage, we still do not have sufficient information to release the descriptions of the suspects. However, we are continuing to work with the victim, who is being supported by a specialist Sexual Offences Liaison Officer through the process, to progress these enquiries.
East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman said: “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.
“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.”
If you were in the area around Ashley Road, Epsom Methodist Church, or Labyrinth nightclub between 2am and 4am on Saturday morning, if you saw or spoke to a woman in her 20s in distress in this area, or you have any CCTV, dashcam, or helmet cam footage of this area during this timeframe, please contact us quoting PR/45260041426 or using our online form.
12 April 17:12pm
We are appealing for witnesses following a report of a rape in Epsom in the early hours of Saturday morning (11 April).
The incident is alleged to have taken place between 2am and 4am, outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road. Detectives are working hard to establish the sequence of events and to clarify the circumstances and the details of those involved.
At this early stage, we do not have full descriptions of any potential suspects. We will release further details once we have them. The victim is being supported by a specialist Sexual Offences Liaison Officer, who is helping her through the process at her own pace.
We understand that this will be extremely concerning for both the victim and the local community, and our officers have been conducting extensive enquiries this weekend to progress this investigation.
We continue to encourage anyone who has any information that might help our investigation to get in touch. If you were in the area around Ashley Road, Epsom Methodist Church, or Labyrinth nightclub between 2am and 4am on Saturday morning, if you saw or spoke to a woman in her 20s in distress in this area, or you have any CCTV, dashcam, or helmet cam footage of this area during this timeframe, please contact us quoting PR/45260041426 or using our online form.
If you would rather not speak to police or to prefer to give information anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or completing their online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
11 April 19:19pm
We are appealing for witnesses following a report of a rape in Epsom in the early hours of this morning (Saturday, 11 April).
The victim, a woman in her 20s, reported she was raped by several men after being followed leaving Labyrinth Epsom night club. The incident is believed to have occurred between 2am and 4am, outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road.
Detective Inspector Aine Matthews said: “We understand this is an extremely distressing incident and the victim is being supported by specialist officers. Our investigation is in its early stages and a team of officers have been conducting extensive enquiries today to identify and locate the suspects. We are working at pace to develop our picture of the suspects and we will share details as soon we are able to. Officers remain in the area and I encourage you to speak with them if you have any concerns.
“As part of our investigation, we would like to speak to anyone who was in the area between 2am and 4am and may have been seen or spoken to a woman in her 20s in distress.”
If you witnessed this incident, or have any dashcam footage of the area at the time, please contact us quoting PR/45260041426 by sending us a private message or using our online form.
If you would rather not speak to police or to prefer to give information anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or completing their online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Questions and Answers
We have received a lot of interest and queries in relation to the investigation and also the disorder seen in Epsom town centre. We are therefore also sharing further information on the steps the police take during an investigation, and when making decisions relating to public order deployments to support understanding and clarify misinformation.
Q: What are the steps in a police investigation?
Every investigation is unique, but all police investigations must follow core principles set out by the College of Policing.
This includes pursuing all reasonable lines of enquiry which means officers will:
- Gather and assess evidence, including forensic examinations
- Speak to witnesses and involved parties
- Review CCTV and digital material
- Follow up on new information as it becomes available
Investigations are continually reviewed to ensure they remain thorough, fair and proportionate.
Q: What do you mean when you refer to someone as a “victim”?
In policing, the term “victim” is used in line with the College of Policing guidance and the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.
A person can be referred to as a victim when they report that they have been harmed, affected by or experienced a crime. This terminology does not mean that a crime has been proven or that any suspect has been found guilty.
Using this term ensures individuals receive the appropriate support, safeguarding and rights under the Victims’ Code while an investigation is ongoing.
Q: When an investigation is ongoing do you tell a victim’s family not to speak to the media?
Our priority is always to support victims and their families, while also ensuring the integrity of any investigation and legal process.
Specially trained officers, including Sexual Offences Liaison Officers and Family Liaison Officers, work closely with the victim and family members to provide support, guidance and remain as a consistent point of contact throughout an investigation. The officer in charge of the case will also maintain regular communication to ensure those involved are kept informed.
We do not prevent individuals from speaking to the media. We may offer advice about the potential impact that public commentary could have on an active investigation or any further court proceedings.
In some cases, victims are entitled to lifelong anonymity under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992. We work to ensure those rights are protected and that individuals are fully informed when making decisions about speaking publicly.
Q: When do you release information about the nationality or ethnicity of those involved?
Our approach to releasing information is guided by national standards set out in Media and communications | College of Policing (APP).
Information about individuals involved in an investigation, including nationality or ethnicity, is only released where it is necessary, proportionate, supported by evidence, and has a clear policing purpose, for example, where it may assist in progressing an investigation or locating individuals.
Regarding this investigation, in the recent update, Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Grahame said: “There has been much speculation about the non-release of a description of any suspects, especially regarding ethnicity. No descriptions have been released as the information about the incident and potential suspects is so limited. To address the specific commentary, there is no evidence that asylum seekers or immigrants were involved.”
Q: What action can be taken if a report made to police is later found to be false?
We take all reports made to us seriously and investigate them thoroughly to establish the facts and ensure the safety of those involved.
In cases where a report is found to be false, there are specific legal offences that may apply. These include wasting police time under Section 5(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1967, and in more serious cases, offences such as perverting the course of justice, which carry significant penalties.
Any consideration of criminal action is made carefully and proportionately, based on the individual circumstances of each case and the available evidence. Therefore, if an individual makes a report that is later found to be mistaken or where there are extenuating circumstances, but no malicious intent on the individual’s behalf, it does not automatically constitute a criminal offence.
Q: How many violence and sexual offences were reported in Epsom this year?
Crime data for the Epsom & Ewell area is published publicly and updated on a regular basis. This includes information on recorded crime levels, crime types and local policing priorities.
To view crime data, explore interactive crime maps and see what issues local policing teams are prioritising in your area please visit Your Area
Q: Why do you release images or videos during an investigation?
We may release images or footage where there is a clear policing purpose, such as:
- Identifying individuals
- Locating witnesses
- Progressing an investigation
All releases are carefully considered in line with national guidance and legal requirements to ensure they do not prejudice proceedings or infringe on individuals’ rights.
Where there is no evidence that an offence has taken place, there is no policing purpose in releasing material publicly.
Our focus is always on using evidence appropriately to support a thorough and fair investigation, while protecting the rights of those involved.
Q: How do police respond to protests and public disorder?
We have a duty to uphold the law while also facilitating the public’s right to lawful protest, which is protected under UK law including the Human Rights Act 1998. We will only intervene where it is necessary and proportionate to prevent crime, disorder or serious disruption.
Our response is guided by legislation including the Public Order Act 2023 and is based on:
- Proportionality; the nature and scale of the event
- Necessity; behaviour observed at the scene
- Maintaining public safety; risks to the public
Operations are led using a structured command model, typically involving:
- A Gold Commander (strategic oversight)
- A Silver Commander (tactical planning)
- Bronze Commanders (operational delivery on the ground)
This ensure decisions are coordinated, proportionate and focused on keeping the public safe.
Officers will engage with organisers where possible, monitor situations as they develop and take action if offences are committed.
Q: Why do officers wear different uniforms at protests?
You may see officers wearing different levels of protective equipment depending on the situation.
For lower-risk events, officers will often be deployed in standard uniform and may engage directly with those attending. Where a higher level of risk is identified through ongoing assessment, officers may be deployed in public order protective uniform with equipment, which can include helmets and shields.
This approach reflects a nationally recognised public order framework, where the level of uniform and equipment is proportionate to the assessed risk. The aim is always to use the minimum level of protection necessary while ensuring officer and public safety.
Q: How are decisions made about police deployments?
Decisions around resourcing and tactics are made by trained commanders based on:
- Risk assessments
- Available intelligence
- The size and nature of the event
- Public safety considerations
These decisions are continuously reviewed as situations evolve. While we aim to be transparent, we cannot share specific operational details that could compromise policing activity.
Q: Why do officers engage with protesters?
Engagement is a key part of modern policing.
By speaking with organisers and participants, officers can:
- understand intentions and concerns
- reduce the likelihood of disorder
- support lawful protest
- resolve issues early and effectively
This approach helps minimise the need for enforcement and supports a safer environment for everyone.
Q: What action is taken when disorder or criminal behaviour occurs?
Where individuals commit offences, we will take appropriate enforcement action.
This may include:
- Arrests
- Issuing dispersal orders
- Gathering evidence for further investigation
Our priority is always to protect the public and restore order as quickly and safely as possible.
Q: When do you issue an appeal on social media?
We use social media channels where it is necessary and proportionate to support an investigation or keep the public informed.
This may include:
- Appealing for witnesses
- Identifying suspects
- Providing reassurance or safety advice
All appeals are risk-assessed to ensure they do not negatively impact the investigation or any future legal proceedings.
Visit Our Media and Social Media practices | Surrey Police to learn more.
Q: What guidance do you follow when releasing information to the public?
Our communications are guided by the Media and communications | College of Policing (APP), which sets out national standards for how police forces engage with the media and the public.
This ensures that any information we release is:
- Accurate
- Proportionate
- Lawful
While also ensuring that it does not prejudice ongoing investigations or court proceedings.
We also operate in line with the principle of open justice, meaning we aim to be as transparent as possible while respecting legal restrictions.
Q: Why do you sometimes remove or moderate comments on social media?
We actively moderate our social media channels to ensure they remain safe, lawful and constructive spaces for discussion.
Comments may be removed where they:
- risk prejudicing active criminal proceedings
- identify victims, witnesses or suspects unlawfully
- contain abuse, threats or misinformation
- encourage criminal behaviour or disorder
This moderation helps protect individuals and ensures we remain compliant with legal obligations.
Q: What are the risks of misinformation during an investigation?
Misinformation can spread quickly, particularly online and can have serious consequences.
Misinformation can:
- Interfere with active investigations
- Impact potential court proceedings
- Cause distress to those involved
- Undermine public confidence
We would always urge the public not to speculate or share unverified claims as this can impact investigations and cause unnecessary distress.
Q: How do you respond to misinformation online?
We are aware that misinformation can spread quickly, particularly during high-profile investigations.
We aim to:
- Provide accurate and factual updates
- Correct misleading information where appropriate
- Encourage and direct the public to rely on official police channels and verified sources
We may also take action where content risks breaking the law or prejudicing justice.
Q: What work has been done to address misinformation in this investigation?
We have reviewed and addressed information circulating online where it is appropriate to do so. We have issued verified updates which can be viewed on this page and the Epsom and Ewell Beat Facebook page. Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Grahame directly addressed the online speculation around this case within her recorded statement, available to view on this page and via Facebook.
Our aim is to provide the public with accurate, reliable information while protecting the integrity of the investigation.
Q: How can I request information from Surrey Police?
You can request recorded information through the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI).
FOI requests allow members of the public to access certain information held by public authorities. However, there are exemptions where disclosure could compromise investigations, personal data or public safety.
For more information on how to submit a request and what can be shared, please visit FOI information page.
You can also view information we have already made publicly available, including previous FOI responses via Published items | Surrey Police
Further details about the types of information we routinely publish can be found in via The Publication Scheme | Surrey Police
Q: Why are some FOI requests refused or only partially answered?
Not all information can be released. The law includes exemptions to protect sensitive material, including:
- Ongoing investigations
- Personal data
- National security and policing tactics
Each request is carefully considered on a case-by-case basis to balance transparency with our duty to protect individuals and the integrity of policing.