Surrey Police in the United Kingdom are currently investigating two separate allegations of historical child sexual abuse that have emerged from the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files. The allegations are said to have taken place in different locations and time periods within the region.
Details of the Allegations
According to law enforcement officials, one of the reports involves locations in Surrey and Berkshire during the mid-1990s to 2000. The second allegation pertains to an incident in west Surrey during the late 1980s. The alleged victims are currently being interviewed by officers, and no arrests have been made at this time.
Background of the Epstein Files
The force had previously urged individuals with information regarding claims of human trafficking and sexual assault to come forward. In an unredacted FBI report from July 2020, which was part of the Epstein files, a woman claimed to have been drugged at night and driven to what she described as 'paedophile ring parties' in Virginia Water during the mid-1990s. The same woman also alleged that she was struck by a dark blue car driven by Prince Andrew, resulting in injuries to her ribs, hip, and leg.
In the same document, the woman accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell of sexual abuse. She further claimed to have been restrained on a table and subjected to electrical shocks by Maxwell, while the former prince and other men watched. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing concerning his association with Epstein.
Police Response and Investigation
Surrey Police previously stated that after reviewing their records, they found no evidence that such allegations had been reported to them. However, following the release of the files by the US Department of Justice, they have initiated investigations into the two new allegations. In a statement, the force said: 'We take all reports of sexual offending seriously and will work to identify any reasonable lines of enquiry to verify information or establish corroborating evidence.'
According to reports, a team of detectives has been deployed to seek corroborating evidence, though such evidence has not yet been identified. Surrey is now the third British police force to formally investigate allegations of criminality stemming from the Epstein files, which include millions of documents related to the late billionaire paedophile.
Related Investigations
Prince Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police are examining claims that he passed confidential information to his friend Epstein while serving as a government trade envoy. The same force is also investigating allegations that a woman was trafficked by Epstein to the UK for a sexual encounter with Andrew. Additionally, Lord Mandelson, Britain's former ambassador to the US, is being investigated by the Met Police for alleged misconduct in public office after he allegedly forwarded confidential information to Epstein while he was Tony Blair's business secretary. He has denied all wrongdoing.
Surrey Police is reportedly examining claims that airports and RAF bases were used for sex trafficking, following concerns raised by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The Epstein files suggest that Epstein's aircraft travelled to locations including Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, RAF Horsham, and RAF Marham.
