A teenage girl was stabbed in the stomach and allegedly raped in an “horrific ordeal” after being dragged out of a restaurant in Epsom last night.

A man assaulted a member of staff at Pizza Hut in Waterloo Road, Epsom at 10.36pm before bundling the 17-year-old out of the restaurant.

Surrey Police officers were called to the restaurant and searched the area for the suspect and the victim.

A 32-year-old man from Epsom was arrested in Court Recreation Ground off Pound Lane, Epsom at about 10.49pm on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnap, rape and grievous bodily harm.

He remains in police custody this afternoon (Saturday, June 18) while the investigation continues.

Moments after his arrest the teenage victim was found with a suspected stab wound to the abdomen.

The girl was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting. Her injuries are described as serious but not life threatening.

Pizza Hut was reportedly cordoned off by police this morning.

Surrey Police officers are currently in the process of reviewing local CCTV footage, speaking to witnesses and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) are carrying out forensic examinations of several locations.

Surrey Police believe the suspect and the victim knew one another.

Detective Inspector Nick Chambers said: “This was clearly a very serious incident where a young woman has been subjected to an horrific ordeal and we are in the process of carrying out a thorough and detailed investigation to establish what happened.

“This appears to have been a violent and pre-planned attack which took place in a very public location in the centre of Epsom.

“Epsom on Friday night is a busy place so I’m sure passers-by and motorists must have seen this incident unfolding and I would like to hear from anyone who saw anything out of the ordinary in or around Pizza Hut or Court Recreation Ground last night.

“A member of staff at Pizza Hut tried to intervene when the man entered the restaurant and suffered injuries to his arm as a result but fortunately his injuries are not believed to be serious.

“I appreciate that there has been a significant police presence in Epsom town centre both overnight and today and this must have been concerning for residents but our swift response allowed us to quickly locate the victim and make an arrest.

“At this early stage it appears that parties involved are known to each other and we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

“We are working closely with our Safer Neighbourhood Team colleagues and we will have an increased high visibility presence in the area over the coming days to reassure and update Epsom residents and business owners.”

To offer information, call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference 45160051625 or Operation Alfriston.

Or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously n 0800 555 111.

Witnesses can also report incidents online at http://www.surrey.police.uk/contact-us/report-online/