Surrey Police has launched investigations into two separate allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse following the release of files connected to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The force confirmed it is probing one report concerning locations in Surrey and Berkshire between the mid-1990s and 2000, and another allegation from the mid-to-late 1980s in West Surrey. No arrests have been made in connection with these inquiries.
Background to the Investigations
In February, Surrey Police appealed for witnesses after a redacted report from the US Department of Justice, released in December, detailed allegations of human trafficking and sexual assault that allegedly occurred in Virginia Water between 1994 and 1996. The force is among several UK police departments reviewing information from the millions of pages of Epstein files published earlier this year.
Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police have separately arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Peter Mandelson for alleged misconduct in public office, both of whom have been released under investigation. Both individuals are mentioned multiple times in the Epstein files, with images showing Andrew bent over an unidentified female and lying across women's laps, and Lord Mandelson receiving a foot massage and standing in his underwear. Both deny any wrongdoing regarding their association with Epstein.
Police Statement
In a statement, Surrey Police said: “Following the release of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice, we are investigating two separate allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse. One report relates to locations in Surrey and Berkshire in the mid-1990s to 2000. The other relates to the mid-to-late 1980s in West Surrey. No arrests have been made. We take all reports of sexual offending seriously and will work to identify any reasonable lines of inquiry to verify information or establish corroborating evidence.”
Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.
