'Shameful' scenes condemned after Epsom disorder

"Shameful" scenes have been condemned by a police and crime commissioner (PCC) after violence broke out in Epsom and four arrests were made.

Surrey PCC Lisa Townsend said those responsible for disorder on Monday night, including throwing missiles at police officers and targeting hotels and homes, should expect to face "the full force of the law".

She said some of those involved were not local and blamed misinformation, including false claims that asylum seekers were being housed at locations targeted during the disorder.

Townsend said tensions were heightened following the report of a rape on 11 April, but stressed police had found no evidence linking the case to asylum seekers or immigrants.

Officers are continuing to review footage to identify further suspects.

"The mindless scenes we witnessed last night where our police officers were targeted with missiles were nothing short of shameful," she said, adding that while she supported the right to lawful protest, some people had "stepped way beyond that line".

She said her message to those "intent on stirring up trouble under the guise of legitimate protest" was to stay away.

The PCC said the past week had been extremely challenging for the local community following the reported rape.

She said: "I have always been a strong advocate for the safety of women and girls in all our communities in Surrey and I am well aware of the concern and fear that is felt when these type of reports are made."

Townsend said sexual assault allegations were treated with utmost seriousness by Surrey Police, and investigations after the reported rape had been "painstaking and extensive".

She added: "Surrey Police has said there is no evidence this case involves asylum seekers or immigrants.

"But clearly this does not suit the narrative some want to push and we are still seeing misinformation being spread online which I believe helped fuel the scenes we witnessed last night.

"This unhelpful speculation has made a difficult situation even worse."

Epsom Methodist Church closed early amid the protests for safety reasons.

The Reverend Catherine Hutton, from the church, told BBC Radio Surrey: "I think people have a right to be able to be in their home without feeling threatened and victimised whatever their background, whatever their context."

She has urged people to be "calm".

"We call for people to be respectful of one another and to afford each other the dignity that we ourselves would wish to receive," she added.

Hutton said the community would "come through this".

"Epsom's an amazing place, it's resilient and full of good people that are hopeful and loving and generous and kind," she added.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.