Surrey police have launched a formal criminal investigation into child sexual abuse allegations tied to the Epstein files, marking the first British police inquiry to examine claims of harm against females connected to the disgraced financier.
Two women have come forward alleging they were victims of attacks detailed in documents released by the US Department of Justice in December 2025. The reported incidents span two separate timeframes: one case involves locations in Surrey and Berkshire dating to the mid-1990s to 2000, while the second relates to west Surrey in the mid- to late-1980s.
Officers have already interviewed the alleged victims and are gathering evidence to verify or refute the claims. No suspects have been interviewed, and no arrests have been made. The investigation is being led by the force's public protection team, which specializes in child abuse cases.
Surrey police first became aware of the allegations after the Department of Justice released thousands of pages of documents related to Epstein and his associates. In February, the force appealed publicly for witnesses after discovering that earlier allegations involving Virginia Water, Surrey, between 1994 and 1996 had never been reported to local police. That appeal prompted multiple people to contact authorities with information.
Among those who responded were the two women now at the center of the investigation, who identified themselves as victims mentioned in the Epstein files. Their statements prompted the decision to open a formal criminal investigation.
This inquiry represents a significant development in Britain's response to the Epstein files. While three British police forces are now conducting criminal investigations related to the materials, the other two have focused on alleged offences against the state rather than sexual abuse. Prince Andrew and former cabinet minister Peter Mandelson are both under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly providing Epstein with sensitive information obtained through their official roles. Both deny wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, six other police forces across Britain are examining whether to launch investigations into flights allegedly arranged by Epstein that carried trafficked women into the UK.
British law enforcement faces a significant hurdle in pursuing these cases. Prosecutors worry they will struggle to bring charges without access to original Epstein documents, which remain in the hands of the Trump administration's Department of Justice. The DOJ has indicated it will not release the unredacted materials without a formal request, a process that is both bureaucratic and time-consuming. So far, only redacted versions have been made public.
A national coordination group, hosted by the National Police Chiefs' Council, is overseeing the collective British police response to allegations emerging from the Epstein files.
Author James Rodriguez: "This investigation confirms that the Epstein files are forcing British law enforcement to confront uncomfortable questions about what happened on home soil, and whether institutional barriers will ultimately prevent justice from being served."
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