Police issue disorder warning after Epsom rape protest

Police issue disorder warning after Epsom rape protest14 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNathan BevanSouth East Getty ImagesSome in the crowd threw objects at riot policeSurrey Police has said it "will not tolerate disorder" following a protest in Epsom over the rape of a woman outside a church by several men.Riot police were deployed on Wednesday evening after people took to the streets demanding a description of the suspects.Before the protest, police had released just two official statements since Saturday's rape, saying in the second it did not have "sufficient information" to release descriptions.The BBC has approached Surrey Police several times for more details about the rape and those responsible.Dozens of police officers were deployed to the protest on Epsom High Street, with photos from the scene appearing to show people throwing objects at them.The protesters also blocked the road, causing disruption to motorists, according to the force.Ch Supt Mark Chapman said: "We respect the right to lawful protest and will facilitate this wherever possible where it is safe to do so. "However, criminal offences and public disorder will not be tolerated, and we will always take robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence."Getty ImagesQuestions were asked about whether any suspects had been identifiedSurrey Police said the rape happened outside Epsom Methodist Church after the victim, a woman in her 20s, was followed after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub.The force has urged people not to speculate about the identity of the suspects, saying: "This may lead to additional tensions within our local communities."Ch Supt Chapman said that Wednesday's "significant police presence" had been to "support the group's right to lawful protest and minimise disruption to the local community".He said the protest "may have caused concern to people in the town centre"...