It’s a sunny Wednesday afternoon in Epsom, and it feels as though spring has finally arrived. People have gathered on the streets, perhaps 1,200 or more, women and men, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, friends, young and old, from all walks of life.
They are here because of what happened last Saturday. By now, everyone knows: a woman in her 20s was followed after leaving Labyrinth nightclub and attacked outside Epsom Methodist Church in the early hours of the morning. The story has reached national headlines, BBC, The Telegraph, The Guardian: Woman in Her 20s Gang-Raped in Front of a Church with CCTV Cameras.
I ask one of the people in the crowd what’s going on: “We are here today because a young girl was raped on Saturday night, and the police are not telling us who was responsible. There is a perception that it could be immigrants, but the police need to tell us who has done it. Without that, speculation grows, and it could be one of our own. I don’t want to protest against people who haven’t done anything wrong, but we have to come together as a community because nobody is telling us what is going on. That’s why we are here.”
I speak to a mother and her daughter, I want to know what they feel about the assault: “Our feeling is that the police need to be transparent about who is responsible, so that women and girls can feel safer, so that we know who we are dealing with. We haven’t been told. We need descriptions. The police say that information available is limited. No arrests have been made. It is reported that four men attacked a young woman for two hours. If cameras are everywhere, why have there been no arrests? Why is there said to be no information, when people believe suspects may still be walking freely in Epsom?”
Some believe the police have accused the gathering of disorder in a public space. Many here ask: “What about the victim? Isn’t rape a disorder?”
More police officers arrive. Eggs are thrown. Emotions are high. People care. Voices rise: “Who raped her?” The crowd chants in support of the victim, while the young police woman responds to my questions with a single phrase: “no comment.”
Meanwhile a voice of authority repeats familiar words: “My heart goes out to the young woman at the centre of this deeply distressing incident.” It is a statement many here feel they have heard too many times to truly believe.
The Methodist Church will hold a service today, April 16th at 12.30pm. All are welcome. Epsom and Ewell Times will be there.
Epsom and Ewell Times is also launching a weekly series, Epsom Safety Brief. If you would like to be involved and share your concerns, please get in touch at: romana.epsomandewelltimes@gmail.com.
To the young woman at the centre of this: the whole town stands with you. You are not alone. Stay strong.
Coming soon:
Epsom Safety Brief is a community-driven series committed to clear, balanced reporting on crime, safety, and accountability. It seeks to highlight what is happening, ask necessary questions, and assess whether meaningful action is being taken to protect residents.
Freelance journalist | SIA-certified | Covering crime & community safety.
Phone: +44 (0)77 2727 5946
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Related report: Epsom shock as police probe serious assault