The organisers of an Epsom protest said they were ‘reassured’ but not ‘satisfied’ after a private meeting with Surrey Police over the alleged rape of a woman outside a local church
The organisers of a protest in Epsom have stated they feel “reassured” but not “satisfied” following a meeting with police officers to discuss the investigation into an alleged rape in the town.
Two men – Billy Cooper and Pete, who chose not to disclose his surname – held a private discussion with Surrey Police on Thursday evening. This followed their demand for more details about the suspects involved in the alleged assault outside Epsom Methodist Church on Saturday.
A woman in her 20s is thought to have been stalked and attacked outside the church in Ashley Road after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub between 2am and 4am, as per the police report.
A substantial crowd of protesters assembled in the affluent town’s centre on Wednesday evening after police announced they lacked sufficient information to provide descriptions of any suspects.
Following their hour-long meeting with Chief Superintendent Mark Chapman at Epsom Police Station, Mr Cooper said: “There’ll be something released tomorrow from the police. So, we’re happy with what they’re saying at the moment. So it’s just a case now of waiting to see what gets released tomorrow.”
When questioned if they were content with how the police had handled the investigation thus far, Mr Cooper told the Press Association: “No, no one’s satisfied.”
Pete added that the pair would wait for the police to disclose more information on Friday before deciding whether to share their own account of how the meeting proceeded.
He stated: “If we feel like they haven’t released anything that we’ve discussed in there this evening, then we’ll release that.”
The men, who turned up at Epsom Police Station at approximately 7.15pm, said officers told them the investigation remains active and that they would not be disclosing any descriptions of the suspects.
Mr Cooper remarked: “At the end of the day, they’re doing their job. They’re doing what they can.”
“In terms of police and public engagement, it was very reassuring,” Pete added.
A small group of locals gathered outside the police station while the meeting took place.
Mel, 38, from Epsom, who declined to give her surname, claimed the police were deliberately concealing the descriptions.
“Every aspect of Epsom is on CCTV. It’s blatant hiding (from the police), and it makes a community feel unsafe, insecure and have a lack of trust,” she told PA.
Speaking before entering Epsom Police Station for the meeting, Mr Cooper said: “We want to know the descriptions of the attacker so that the community can actually prepare for it and know what they’re looking out for.
“Is there a danger still for the community? Do they know the descriptions? Have they got the identity of these guys? Do they know if there’s an imminent danger to the community? And what precautions should people be taking?”
When asked if he was concerned that circulating the suspects’ descriptions might jeopardise any future criminal case, Mr Cooper said: “I think my main concern is the community.” Those who were in the vicinity at the time of the incident outside the church are being encouraged to get in touch with Surrey Police, citing reference number PR/45260041426.