Police close Epsom gang-rape investigation concluding 'no sexual offence occurred'
The investigation by Surrey Police saw the woman in her 20s claim she had been sexually assaulted by migrants, with locals taking to the streets of the town in protest
A police investigation into the alleged rape of a woman outside a church in Epsom is set to be closed after Surrey Police confirmed that “no sexual offence occurred”.
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Surrey Police confirmed on Thursday that an investigation into reports that a woman was sexually assaulted in the up-market Surrey town was set to be closed after the allegation led to widespread public disorder.
Protesters gathered in the Surrey town on Monday evening amid heightened public anger after police failed to release the ethnicity of suspects following the alleged rape.
Now, the force has said that although a thorough investigation took place that included "extensive examination of CCTV footage of the woman’s movements, house to house enquiries, interviewing witnesses and forensic tests," they added: "no sexual offence occurred".
Four people were arrested earlier this week after Epsom residents clashed with police on the town's streets following the alleged gang rape of a woman outside a church.
Officers said the protest “escalated to public disorder”, with eggs and beer cans being thrown and a person appeared to try to climb on top of a police van.
Surrey Police have now confirmed that the case into the assault is to be closed, adding: "We can conclude that no sexual offence occurred on this occasion, and we are closing the investigation."
Police initially said that the alleged rape took place between 2am and 4am on Saturday after the victim left Labyrinth nightclub in Epsom.
The victim had claimed that a number of men approached the woman outside Epsom Methodist Church on Ashley Road, where the rape was said to have taken place.
In a statement on Thursday the force said: "What has become clear is that a woman in her 20s during a night out in Epsom, sustained an accidental head injury prior to making a confused report.
"The woman involved has given us permission to share this information with you and she continues to be supported by relevant services."
The force reiterated that it takes "every report of sexual offending seriously, and any such report is treated with sensitivity."
"To do this, it is imperative that the appropriate time is allowed to complete a thorough investigation and support is given to the complainant to progress enquiries at their own pace. This limits what information we are able to release publicly," the force added.
Following an initial police appeal, Epsom residents took to the town's streets in protest after the reported attack caused concern.
Surrey Police were forced to draft in riot police to Epsom town centre on Wednesday evening, with protesters seen to gather, demanding that the force release descriptions of the suspects.
The force has since said that after issuing an initial appeal for witnesses and information, there was a "lack of information in our initial appeal particularly regarding potential persons of interest."
Describing the descriptions given by the alleged victim as "vague and limited", the force said that "we recognise this caused concern amongst the community. We are now confident that there was no offence, and there were no suspects."
Adding: "Our local officers will maintain a visible presence in Epsom over the coming days so please speak to them if you have any concerns or questions."