Epsom protest chaos: Four arrested as demonstrators hurl eggs and beer cans at police

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A protest in Epsom descended into chaos on Monday night as objects were thrown at police and a number of arrests were made.

Demonstrators gathered in the London commuter town after police said there is no evidence that immigrants or asylum seekers were involved in an alleged rape outside a church.

Crowds of people marched down a residential street in the upmarket town with riot police at the scene.

Surrey Police 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.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of offences including criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.

Video on social media showed around 20 officers scrambling to protect a property as protesters descended.

In a statement, Surrey Police said: "The organised protest started at 5pm outside Epsom train station before escalating to public disorder when individuals targeted local hotels and residential properties with claims that these were housing people seeking asylum.

"This is not the case and is wholly inaccurate information.

"The escalating behaviour of some of the protesters and the threat to officer safety, including missiles being thrown at them, required officers to put on full protective public order uniform.

"Four people remain in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of offences, including criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker, during the disorder."

It came after Surrey Police had received a report that a woman in her 20s had assaulted outside a church in Ashley Road after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub on Saturday April 11 between 2am and 4am.

Public anger erupted over the force not releasing the ethnicity of any suspects but Surrey Police said this was because "the information about the incident and potential suspects is so limited".

Hundreds of demonstrators squared off with police last Wednesday in chaotic scenes that saw with objects thrown at officers.

Following the latest disorder, Surrey Police warned that "robust action" will be taken against anyone who commits a criminal offence in the protests.

In an update posted on the Epsom and Ewell Beat Facebook page on Monday evening, the force said: "Police are in atten

In a statement late on Monday night, the force said: "While we respect the right to lawful protest, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated. Robust action will be taken against anyone who commits a criminal offence.

"We will continue to review footage of this evening's incident to identify those responsible for any further criminal offences and take appropriate action against them."

Officers said there would be an increased police presence in the town after the protest finished.

The force previously said: "We are aware that speculation and concern about the report we received remains, and we reiterate that our inquiries remain ongoing.

"These inquiries have included reviewing an extensive amount of CCTV footage from the area, carrying out forensics investigations and conducting house-to-house inquiries.

"To date, we have not found any evidence that the offence took place as reported."

Police have urged anyone with CCTV, dashcam or helmet camera footage to contact them online, or via 101, quoting the reference number PR/45260041426.