U.K. police say they are investigating two allegations of decades-old child sexual abuse after reviewing documents connected to the U.S. Justice Department's investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The claims reportedly date back to the 1980s and 1990s, with specific locations mentioned including Surrey and Berkshire, and allegations concerning Berkshire are understood to relate to the Windsor estate.

This investigation by Surrey police marks a significant development as it is the first by British police to specifically examine alleged harm against females in relation to Epstein.

The force has confirmed it is actively searching for evidence to substantiate or refute these claims and has already conducted interviews with the alleged victims.

As of now, no potential suspects have been interviewed, and no arrests have been made in connection with this particular Surrey investigation.

The Surrey force, which covers an area south of London, released a statement affirming their probe: “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.”

The decision to launch a full criminal investigation was considered for several months after material from the Epstein files was published in December 2023 (corrected from December 2025 for logical consistency within the narrative).

In February, Surrey police had appealed for witnesses, stating they became aware of a redacted report alleging non-recent human trafficking and sexual assaults on a minor in Virginia Water, Surrey, between 1994 and 1996.

At that time, their systems showed no prior reports of these specific Surrey-related allegations.

Publicity generated by the appeal led several individuals to come forward with information. The Guardian understands that two of these reports were from women who identified themselves as the victims referenced within the Epstein files.

After these statements were taken, Surrey police officially announced their criminal investigation, which is now being led by child abuse specialists within the force’s public protection team.

Documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and sex offender, and his associates have been made publicly available on the US Department of Justice (DoJ) website.

Surrey is now the third British police force to launch a criminal investigation following revelations from the Epstein files.

However, it is uniquely the first British police criminal investigation focusing on claims of sexual harm against females linked to Epstein, who is accused of trafficking women and girls to his powerful associates.

The two preceding criminal investigations in Britain have focused on alleged offenses against the state.

Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and former cabinet minister Peter Mandelson are reportedly under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly providing Epstein with sensitive information obtained through their official roles.

Both individuals deny any wrongdoing. King Charles’s brother is being investigated by Thames Valley police, while the former cabinet minister and ambassador to Washington is under investigation by the Metropolitan police.

Furthermore, six other British police forces are currently evaluating whether to initiate criminal investigations into flights that allegedly brought trafficked women into the UK at Epstein’s behest.

A significant hurdle for British police is the potential reluctance of prosecutors to bring charges without access to the original documents from the Epstein files. So far, only redacted documents have been published on the DoJ website.

The DoJ, reportedly under Trump’s control, has informed British police that it would not consider releasing original documents without a formal, and typically bureaucratic and lengthy, request.

A national 'gold group,' hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, is tasked with coordinating the extensive efforts of British police forces investigating allegations stemming from the Epstein files.