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Four people have been arrested after eggs and beer cans were thrown in a demonstration following an alleged rape outside a UK church. Protesters gathered in a residential street in Epsom, Surrey, on Monday evening amid public anger that police had not released details about the ethnicity of any suspects. Officers said there is no evidence that immigrants or asylum seekers were involved in the alleged crime and that "information about the incident and potential suspects is limited".

The demonstration quickly "escalated into public disorder", however, with eggs and beer cans thrown and a person appearing to try to climb on top of a police van. Surrey Police confirmed in a statement that four arrests had been made and warned that further "robust action" will be taken to deal with "criminal offences and public disorder".

Police had received a report that a woman in her 20s was followed and assaulted by several men outside a church in Ashley Road after leaving Labyrinth Epsom nightclub on Saturday, April 11, between 2am and 4am.

The protest on Monday followed a demonstration on Wednesday, when objects were thrown at officers.

Surrey Police have 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 attendance at an organised protest in Epsom which has escalated to public disorder, including missiles being thrown at them."

It continued: "Officers have surrounded a residential property and nearby hotels after they were targeted by protesters purporting that they were locations housing those 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 has required officers to put on full protective public order uniform.

"Currently, we have made four arrests, and we will continue to deal with criminal offences and public disorder, taking robust action against anyone who commits a criminal offence."