A woman in her 20s was followed from a nightclub and raped by several men outside a church in the early hours of Saturday morning, Surrey Police have said.
The victim reported that she was attacked outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road after leaving the nearby Labyrinth Epsom nightclub. The incident is believed to have occurred between 2am and 4am on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Police investigation and appeal for witnesses
Detective Inspector Aine Matthews stated that a team of officers is conducting extensive enquiries to identify and locate the suspects. “Our investigation is in its early stages and we are working at pace to develop our picture of the suspects,” she said.
The force has issued a specific appeal for information, assigning the case reference PR/45260041426. They are urging anyone who was in the area of Ashley Road between 2am and 4am on Saturday morning to come forward, particularly if they saw or spoke to a woman in her 20s who appeared to be in distress. Officers are also requesting any dashcam footage from the vicinity during that timeframe.
A Surrey Police spokesman confirmed that, at this stage, they do not have full descriptions of the suspects and are working to establish clearer details. Officers remain in the area to provide reassurance and to speak to members of the public.
Support for the victim
The victim, described as “understandably very shaken,” is being supported by specialist officers. Surrey Police confirmed she is receiving help from a Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO), a role introduced by the force in 2020 to provide dedicated support to victims of serious sexual offences.
Location and local context
The scene of the attack, Epsom Methodist Church, is a short walk from the Labyrinth Epsom nightclub on Spread Eagle Walk. The nightclub is a relatively new venue, having opened in December 2025, and features three separate rooms. The church itself has a long history in the town, with Methodism in Epsom dating to 1840; the congregation moved to its current Ashley Road location in March 1915.
Epsom’s crime picture presents a complex context. While some data suggests it is the most dangerous medium-sized town in Surrey, with violence and sexual offences being the most commonly recorded crimes, other published metrics indicate crime levels that are comparable to or below national averages. The town supports several nightlife venues including the aforementioned Labyrinth, Rhythms Nightclub, and The Cave.
Surrey Police emphasise their commitment to tackling sexual offences, noting their participation in Operation Soteria, a national initiative designed to improve the investigation and prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences. The force provides both online and telephone reporting routes for such crimes.
