A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnap, rape and grievous bodily harm following the incident in Epsom
Officers from Surrey Police were called to Pizza Hut in Waterloo Road, Epsom, at 10.36pm on Friday evening
A teenage girl was allegedly stabbed and raped after a man dragged her from a Pizza Hut restaurant in front of terrified staff in a busy town centre.
The 17-year-old was subjected to the "violent and pre-planned attack" on Friday evening in Epsom, Surrey, police claimed.
A man is accused of entering the takeaway at around 10.30pm and assaulting a member of staff who tried to intervene, before dragging the girl from the building and leaving the area on foot.
Police arrested him in a nearby recreation ground shortly before 10.50pm and moments later found the teenage victim, who had been stabbed in the stomach.
She was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting where she is in a serious but not life-threatening condition, Surrey Police said.
A 32-year-old man from Epsom has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnap, rape and grievous bodily harm and is in custody.
Detective Inspector Nick Chambers said the girl had suffered a "horrific ordeal".
He said: "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."
Local business owners locking up around 11pm were told to stay inside while Police searched for the suspect.
Abdul Ali, Royal Mint restaurant employee, said: “We were full of customers and a woman ran in asking for first aid supplies because someone had been stabbed.
“We gave her plasters and the few things we had, I think she was just a passer-by who stopped to help.
“It’s shocking. Epsom is a really nice place but we just don’t know if it’s safe to be around here these days.
“There just seems to be so much crime happening here recently.”
A Pizza Hut spokesperson said: “We can confirm an incident took place at our Epsom Delivery Hut. Our thoughts and concern remain with our team members and we are cooperating fully with the police investigation.”
Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Anyone who witnessed the attack is asked to call Surrey Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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