Police in Surrey are intensifying efforts to locate a group of men suspected of raping a woman outside a church in Epsom, as crowds gathered in the town and officers equipped with shields maintained a visible presence.
Incident Details and Police Response
Surrey Police reported receiving a call concerning a woman who was raped outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road in Epsom. The assault occurred between 2am and 4am on Saturday, 11 April. Authorities are actively working to establish the full circumstances of the incident and identify those involved.
In a statement, Surrey Police noted, "Unfortunately at this stage, we still do not have sufficient information to release the descriptions of the suspects. However, we are continuing to work with the victim, who is being supported by a specialist Sexual Offences Liaison Officer through the process, to progress these enquiries."
Community Concerns and Increased Patrols
East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman addressed the local community, expressing understanding of the distress caused by the incident. "I understand the distress and concern that this incident has caused, both for the victim herself and amongst our local communities, and I want to reassure you that we are working hard to progress this investigation," he said.
Chapman emphasized that while extensive enquiries have been conducted, police currently lack sufficient details to provide suspect descriptions. "While we have already carried out extensive enquiries, we do not have sufficient information at this time to update you with the descriptions of the suspects. I appreciate that this causes increased concern, and I can assure you that we will update you with these descriptions as soon as we are able to do so," he added.
To mitigate community tensions, Chapman urged people to avoid speculation about the suspects. "In the meantime, I would urge people not to speculate about the descriptions of these suspects as this may lead to additional tensions within our local communities." He also confirmed that patrols have been stepped up in the area, with an increased police presence continuing over the weekend.
Appeal for Information
Police are appealing to the public for any information that could aid the investigation. "While we continue to progress our investigation, we would urge anyone with any information who has not already come forward to do so as a matter of urgency," Chapman stated.
The incident has drawn significant attention in Epsom, with crowds gathering in the town and police deploying shield-equipped officers to manage the situation. Authorities remain focused on supporting the victim and advancing the case to bring the perpetrators to justice.
