Surrey Police has issued a major update into an alleged rape in Epsom, revealing they have found "no evidence of the offence as reported”.
An investigation was launched after a woman in her 20s reported being attacked by several men outside Epsom Methodist Church in the early hours of Saturday, April 11.
Large crowds of protesters were seen in social media footage throwing objects at officers holding shields following the alleged attack, as they demanded police reveal the ethnicity of the suspects.
But in a major update this afternoon, Surrey Police say they have "not found any evidence of the offence as reported" or "any evidence that asylum seekers or immigrants were involved".
Police revealed that information about the alleged attack and potential suspects is “so limited”.
“We have not found any evidence of the offence as reported but the investigation is ongoing,” a spokesperson for Surrey Police said in a statement.
“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.
“To address the specific commentary, there is no evidence that asylum seekers or immigrants were involved.”
A woman in her 20s said she was followed after leaving Labyrinth nightclub in Epsom on Friday evening and attacked between 2am and 4am outside Epsom Methodist Church.
The incident sparked outrage online, including from far-right activists, who flooded social media with speculations over the ethnicity of the alleged attackers, while many residents expressed concerns over safety.
Crowds of protesters gathered in the town centre of Epsom on Wednesday to demand answers from the police, appearing to throw objects at the force.
Roads were blocked as a result of the protests, causing disruption to motorists until 8pm when protesters left the scene.
Police said on Thursday morning that crime and disorder in reaction to the alleged rape will not be tolerated.
