Update from Surrey Police following an incident reported in Epsom over the weekend

Please see the below statement from Surrey Police following a report of a rape in Epsom, 

"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."

(Update following a report of a rape in Epsom | Surrey Police)

Statement from Jackie King

“I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the serious assault which was reported in the early hours of Saturday morning. On behalf of all council staff and elected members, our thoughts are with the victim, their family and our wider community at this time.

Incidents of this nature have no place in our borough. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is committed to working with partners—including Surrey Police, Surrey County Council and the North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service, all of whom form part of Epsom & Ewell’s Community Safety Partnership—along with other agencies, to tackle violence against women and girls and to put measures in place that help keep women and girls safe. 

Our work in this area will not be finished until every woman and girl in Epsom & Ewell is safe in their homes, on our streets and in our parks, across our borough. 

I understand that members of our community will feel concerned, unsettled and angry. It is important that we come together as a community, support one another and avoid speculation or the spread of unverified information which can cause additional harm and possibly hinder the investigation. Epsom and Ewell is a strong and caring community. By standing together, supporting those affected and enabling the authorities to do their work we will all play our part.

I thank Surrey Police, who are working diligently to establish the sequence of events and to clarify the circumstances and the details of those involved in the incident. 

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 Surrey Police quoting PR/45260041426 or by using the online form on the Surrey Police website." surrey.police.uk