Epsom protest organisers ‘reassured’ after private meeting with police
A woman in her 20s is believed to have been followed and assaulted on Saturday
Last updated 7 hours ago
The organisers of a protest in Epsom said they were “reassured” but not “satisfied” after they met police officers to discuss the investigation into the alleged rape of a woman in the town.
Two men – Billy Cooper and Pete, who did not give his surname – had a private meeting with Surrey Police on Thursday evening following their call for more information about the suspects in the alleged attack outside Epsom Methodist Church on Saturday.
A woman in her 20s is believed to have been followed and assaulted outside the church in Ashley Road after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub between 2am and 4am, according to the force.
A large crowd of protesters gathered in the upmarket town’s centre on Wednesday evening after police said they did not have enough information to release descriptions of any suspects.
Speaking after their hour-long meeting with Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman at Epsom Police Station, Mr Cooper said: “There’ll be something released tomorrow from the police. So, we’re happy with what they’re saying at the moment. So it’s just a case now of waiting to see what gets released tomorrow.”
Asked if they were satisfied with how the police had dealt with the investigation so far, Mr Cooper told the Press Association: “No, no one’s satisfied.”
Pete added the two would wait for the police to release more information on Friday before deciding whether to give their own account of how the meeting went.
He said: “If we feel like they haven’t released anything that we’ve discussed in there this evening, then we’ll release that.”
The men, who arrived at Epsom Police Station at around 7.15pm, said the police told them the investigation is still open and that they would not be revealing any descriptions of the suspects.
Mr Cooper said: “At the end of the day, they’re doing their job. They’re doing what they can.”
“In terms of police and public engagement, it was very reassuring,” Pete added.
A small group of residents waited outside the police station during the meeting.
Mel, 38, from Epsom, who did not give her surname, accused the police of deliberately withholding the descriptions.
“Every aspect of Epsom is on CCTV. It’s blatant hiding (from the police), and it makes a community feel unsafe, insecure and have a lack of trust,” she told PA.
Speaking before he entered Epsom Police Station for the meeting, Mr Cooper said: “We want to know the descriptions of the attacker so that the community can actually prepare for it and know what they’re looking out for.
“Is there a danger still for the community? Do they know the descriptions? Have they got the identity of these guys? Do they know if there’s an imminent danger to the community? And what precautions should people be taking?”
Asked if he was worried that circulating the descriptions of the suspects would endanger any future criminal case, Mr Cooper said: “I think my main concern is the community.”
Witnesses in the area at the time of the incident outside the church have been urged to contact Surrey Police quoting reference number PR/45260041426.