Protesters clashed with riot police in the centre of Epsom on Wednesday evening, as public anger boiled over following a woman’s rape outside a church just days earlier.
Social media footage showed large crowds squaring off against dozens of officers in helmets and carrying shields, with objects reportedly being thrown at police lines. The demonstration, which blocked a road and caused significant disruption, was promoted online by Danny Tommo, a former associate of the right-wing activist Tommy Robinson.
The Attack and the Search for Answers
The incident that sparked the unrest occurred in the early hours of Saturday, between 2am and 4am. According to Surrey Police, a woman in her 20s was followed after leaving the Labyrinth Epsom nightclub and was then attacked outside the nearby Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road. The nightclub sits less than 100 metres from the church site.
The force has launched an extensive investigation, conducting house-to-house checks, witness interviews, and reviewing CCTV. The victim is being supported by a specialist Sexual Offences Liaison Officer.
During the protest, a letter from a resident was read aloud, demanding more information and reassurance from police, specifically asking whether any suspects had been identified and if there was still a risk to the public.
Police Defend Withholding Suspect Descriptions
At the heart of the community’s frustration is a decision by Surrey Police not to release any description of the suspects. On Wednesday, the force stated it did not have sufficient information to provide descriptions and urged the public not to speculate, warning that doing so could increase tensions.
This stance places the force within a complex national debate about transparency. In August 2025, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing issued interim guidance encouraging forces to consider disclosing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects in high-profile and sensitive cases.
That guidance was introduced after police faced criticism for not revealing suspect details, particularly in cases involving asylum seekers, which critics argued allowed misinformation to flourish. A catalyst for the change was the Warwickshire rape case involving two men alleged to be asylum seekers. Campaigners, however, have warned that such disclosures risk fuelling prejudice and unfairly linking criminality with ethnicity or migration status.
The issue was highlighted again in July 2024 following the Southport attacks, where Merseyside Police were criticised for not initially revealing the ethnicity of Axel Rudakubana, who killed three children at a dance class. Within hours of that attack, false claims circulated online that the suspect was a 17-year-old asylum seeker, leading to riots and anti-immigration protests.
In choosing not to release descriptions, Surrey Police appear to be weighing this guidance against the specific operational details of their investigation and the risk of inflaming community tensions further.
Protest Policing and Community Tensions
East Surrey Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman addressed the protest, stating that the significant police presence was to “support the group’s right to lawful protest and minimise disruption”. He acknowledged the concern and disruption caused but said the priority was public safety.
“We respect the right to lawful protest and will facilitate this wherever possible where it is safe to do so,” he said. “However, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated, and we will always take robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.” The protest disbanded around 8pm, though officers remained in the town centre.
The events have sent a shockwave through Epsom, a town ranked the 12th most desirable place to live in England and Wales in 2026 by Garrington Property Finders, with average house prices of £712,105. The serious violent crime stands in stark contrast to its reputation for good schools and as a prosperous London commuter belt location.
Surrey Police are urging witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area at the time of the attack to come forward, quoting reference number PR/45260041426. Information can also be given anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers.
