Four arrested at protest after alleged rape outside Surrey church
Surrey Police say 'missiles' were thrown at officers by some demonstrators
Last updated 21st Apr 2026
Four people have been arrested after eggs and beer cans were thrown during a protest in Epsom, as police continue to investigate a reported rape.
Crowds assembled on Monday evening (20 April) where demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of the alleged assault outside a church.
Surrey Police had received a report that a woman in her 20s had been followed and assaulted outside a church in Ashley Road after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub on Saturday April 11 between 2am and 4am.
There was some public anger that the force had not released the ethnicity of any suspects but Surrey Police said this was because “the information about the incident and potential suspects is so limited”.
Police say tensions rose and some demonstrators targeted local hotels and residential properties with claims that these were housing people seeking asylum, the force say this is 'wholly inaccurate information.'
The protest on Monday follows a demonstration on Wednesday, when objects were thrown at officers.
Surrey Police have warned that “robust action” will be taken against anyone who commits a criminal offence in the protests.
In an update posted on the Epsom and Ewell Beat Facebook page on Monday evening, the force said:
"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."
The force previously said: “We are aware that speculation and concern about the report we received remains, and we reiterate that our inquiries remain ongoing.
“These inquiries have included reviewing an extensive amount of CCTV footage from the area, carrying out forensics investigations and conducting house-to-house inquiries.
“To date, we have not found any evidence that the offence took place as reported.”
Police have urged anyone with CCTV, dashcam or helmet camera footage to contact them online, or via 101.