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No evidence Epsom rape took place as reported, say police
TL;DR
Police in Epsom report no evidence of a rape incident initially reported outside a church. The investigation follows public concern and protests demanding information about the suspects.
Key points
- Police found no evidence of the reported rape in Epsom.
- The alleged attack occurred outside Epsom Methodist Church.
- Public protests demanded information about the suspects.
Police investigating the rape of a woman by several men outside a church in Epsom say they have "not found any evidence" that the offence took place as initially reported.
The woman in her 20s had been reportedly attacked in the early hours of Saturday, 11 April, outside Epsom Methodist Church in Surrey, after she had been followed from a nightclub.
The reported attack had caused concern in Epsom, and riot police were deployed in the town centre on Wednesday evening when protesters gathered to demand police release descriptions of the suspects.
Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing Sarah Grahame said there was "no evidence that asylum seekers or immigrants were involved".
Shouts from protesters speculating about the identities of the suspects could be heard on live streams of the demonstration on social media.
ACC Grahame added: "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."
She added that she was "aware of the strength of feeling this has created, and of the frustration caused by our limited public comment on the matter".
A Surrey Police spokesperson added it had reviewed "an extensive amount of CCTV footage" from the area, as well as carried out forensic investigations and house-to-house inquiries.
Investigations are ongoing and police are still appealing for witnesses, the force said.
The alleged victim of the report continues to be supported by police, the force added.
Police said increased patrols would be deployed in Epsom across the weekend.
On Thursday, members of the community gathered at the Methodist Church for a community service following reports of the attack.
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Q&A
What did the police find regarding the reported rape in Epsom?
The police stated they have not found any evidence that the reported rape took place.
What were the circumstances of the alleged attack in Epsom?
The alleged attack occurred outside Epsom Methodist Church after the woman was reportedly followed from a nightclub.
What was the public reaction to the reported rape in Epsom?
The reported incident caused significant concern, leading to protests in Epsom demanding police release suspect descriptions.
