Police issue disorder warning after rape protest

Protests that followed a rape of a woman by several men have led to a warning from Surrey Police that the force "will not tolerate disorder".

The woman in her 20s was followed after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub and attacked outside Epsom Methodist Church in the early hours of Saturday.

Protesters took to the streets on Wednesday evening demanding descriptions of the suspects, after police said they did not have "sufficient information" to give descriptions, and riot police were deployed.

Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said that police were leaving "no stone unturned" and that she was satisfied the investigation was "thorough and diligent".

The force has urged people not to speculate about the identity of the suspects, stating: "This may lead to additional tensions within our local communities."

Dozens of police officers were deployed to a protest in Epsom High Street on Wednesday night, with photos appearing to show people throwing objects at them.

Protesters blocked the road, causing disruption to motorists, officers said.

Protest organisers, Billy Cooper and Pete, who did not give his surname, have since held a meeting with Surrey Police.

Cooper said that they were "reassured" but not "satisfied" with the information provided.

Ch Supt Mark Chapman said: "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."

Chapman added that the "significant police presence" had been to "support the group's right to lawful protest and minimise disruption".

He said that the priority was to ensure the safety of the wider public, as well as the safety of those involved in the protest.

Townsend said that she had been receiving updates from senior officers since the weekend and police teams were carrying out extensive inquiries.

"Any report of this nature is understandably concerning and I fully appreciate in circumstances like this that the local community are keen to have as much information as possible, but that must of course always be balanced with ensuring the integrity of the investigation," she said.

Downing Street said the prime minister's thoughts were with the victim.

A spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer said that the police investigation was live and operational decisions were for police to make.

"That includes decisions on what information should or shouldn't be disclosed," they said.

Asked whether Sir Keir would appeal for calm, his spokesperson pointed to a police statement saying it respected the right to lawful protest, but criminal offences and public disorder would not be tolerated.

Townsend added that there had been "unhelpful speculation" on social media about why descriptions had not been released.

She reiterated the force's statement that despite extensive inquiries, police did not at this stage have sufficient information to release descriptions.

The force has stepped up patrols in the area and there will also be an increased police presence over the weekend.

Epsom Methodist Church was holding a "community act" on Thursday, aiming to "raise our voices for women who are vulnerable and all who are victimised".

The Reverend Catherine Hutton said that the event would be an outlet for people to express any "feelings of compassion and outrage in a meaningful and positive way".

She said: "Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that, and that is why we are having an act of hope for the community, so we can stand together and declare we are good people."

Meanwhile, Epsom MP Helen Maguire said the protest had been hijacked by "right-wing online activists" who wanted to "fan the flames of divisiveness".

Jackie King, chief executive of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, said that the authority was working with police and other agencies to tackle violence against women and girls.

"Our work in this area will not be finished until every woman and girl in Epsom and Ewell is safe," she said.

She added that she understood some people would feel "concerned, unsettled and angry", but it was important to come together as a community and avoid speculation or the spread of unverified information.

Epsom resident Mark Laxton, who protested on Wednesday, said: "All people want is answers because no-one is safe any more."

He added: "There was me and around 200 to 300 other people. It was all set up online.

"No woman is safe and women should be. You hardly see police walking the streets and that's what frustrates people. Hopefully we will have made them think."

Subhir Singh, owner of Epsom Dry Cleaners, closed his shop before the demo.

He said: "They first started shouting at the police and then some people started throwing eggs at them."

Madhur Gupta, who works at Epsom Food and Wine in Epsom High Street, said that police instructed the shop to close at about 17:30 BST, adding: "I think all the shops closed after the protest started."

Officers are still appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who saw a woman in distress in the area of Ashley Road between 02:00 and 04:00 on Saturday.

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