Vigils for Sarah Everard reclaim the night but anger at "unacceptable" police response

People use their phones to light up Clapham Common, London last night as part of an unofficial vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard

Women demanding action to curb male violence held a vigil for Sarah Everard last night after the police officer accused of killing her appeared in court.

Covid restrictions forced most of the rallies planned in cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, to be cancelled but hundreds still gathered in the London park where Ms Everard was last seen walking home. Her body was found in woodland in Kent on Wednesday.

Organisers Reclaim These Streets reluctantly called off planned vigils after official advice but many protesters still arrived at Clapham Common last night. Police said the gathering was unsafe and urged them to go home but it was the police who found themselves at the centre of criticism.

Pictures of officers wrestling with the women prompted a wave of anger, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan describing the scenes as “unacceptable”.

He said: “The police have a responsibility to enforce Covid laws but from images I’ve seen it’s clear the response was at times neither appropriate nor proportionate. I’m in contact with the commissioner and urgently seeking an explanation.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “The scenes in Clapham this evening are deeply disturbing. Women came together to mourn Sarah Everard – they should have been allowed to do so peacefully. I share their anger and upset at how this has been handled. This is not the way to police this protest.”

And former Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal said: “If only police had tackled male violence against women with the vigour and robustness that they have used against women praying for the victims.”

There were a number of calls for Police Commissioner Cressida Dick to resign over the scenes, with video footage of arrests flooding the internet and drawing protest. Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked police for a “full report”.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball said in a statement: “Police must act for people’s safety, this is the only responsible thing to do. The pandemic is not over and gatherings of people from right across London and beyond, are still not safe.

“Those who gathered were spoken to by officers on a number of occasions and over an extended period of time. We repeatedly encouraged those who were there to comply with the law and leave. Regrettably, a small minority of people began chanting at officers, pushing and throwing items.

“After speaking with officers, the vast majority of people quickly left. Four arrests have been made for public order offences and for breaches of the Health Protection Regulations.”

She added: “We accept that the actions of our officers have been questioned.

“We absolutely did not want to be in a position where enforcement action was necessary. But we were placed in this position because of the overriding need to protect people’s safety.

“Let me end by saying that across the Met, we review every single event that we police to see if there are lessons that can be learnt. This one will be no different.”

Earlier the protesters had laid flowers, adding to a growing sea of floral tributes laid at the bandstand since Ms Everard’s death led to an outpouring of anger and demands for action to curb male violence against women.

Placards read “we will not be silenced”, and “she was just walking home” as the crowd lit up their phones in silent vigil.

Meanwhile, across Britain, people lit candles in their homes, including Nicola Sturgeon, who tweeted: “For Sarah, and all the others #ReclaimTheStreets.”

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A post shared by Nicola Sturgeon (@nicolasturgeon)

On Twitter, Boris Johnson said he would be lighting one for Ms Everard, her family and friends: “I cannot imagine how unbearable their pain and grief is. We must work fast to find all the answers to this horrifying crime. I will do everything I can to make sure the streets are safe and ensure women and girls do not face harassment or abuse.”

Ms Everard’s murder has prompted demands that her death become a turning point for society. During a virtual event hosted by Feminists of London, Mandu Reid, the leader of the Women’s Equality Party, compared violence against women and girls to “a form of domestic terrorism” as Priti Patel revealed almost 20,000 people had responded in 24 hours to a consultation on how the government could tackle violence against women and girls. A fundraising page set up by Reclaim These Streets for women’s charities reached its £320,000 target.

Earlier, Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared in court charged with the kidnap and murder of Ms Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive. She had last been seen walking to her London home on March 3.

Couzens, a police constable, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday accused of kidnapping Ms Everard in the Poynders Road area of Clapham. Ms Everard, who has been described as “beautiful, thoughtful and incredibly kind”, was reported missing by her boyfriend on March 4. A body, later formally identified as Ms Everard via dental records, was discovered on March 10. A post-mortem examination has taken place but no cause of death was given in court.

Visitors paying their respects at Clapham Common yesterday included the Duchess of Cambridge, who was seen pausing in front of the sea of floral tributes. As well as flowers, the memorial also features signs, with the duchess seen near a sign reading “I am Sarah”.

Police Scotland meanwhile urged people against attending a planned vigil outside the Scottish Parliament building yesterday. Organisers said they would “build on events hosted online” instead.

Organisers of a Glasgow event asked people to tie a ribbon and a note at four locations – George Square, Queen’s Park, Kelvingrove Park or the Mary Barbour statue in Govan – and urged people not to remain at the locations.

Chloe Whyte, the organiser of the Edinburgh vigil, said reaction to the death of Ms Everard had “shone a light on how many women have been made to feel unsafe” in public spaces.

Struck by this photo from the gates of Queens Park tonight. The park is in the heart of my constituency and I, too, think of Moira every time I walk through or around it. #ReclaimTheStreets pic.twitter.com/8SWOMmbxOs

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 13, 2021

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said gatherings risked further spread of the virus. She said: “If we weren’t in the situation we are in right now then I would certainly join any public vigil. But we are not in normal times.”

Lots of ribbons and messages left at Govan today on the Mary Barbour statue. 💔 #SarahEverard #ReclaimTheseStreets #glasgow pic.twitter.com/q6MFkSZmdc

— Bonnie Bling (@Bonnie_Bling) March 13, 2021

Rape Crisis Scotland added: “We know it feels deeply unjust not to be able to gather to remember Sarah and demand our streets are safe for all of us. We will light a candle but know this isn’t enough. Women deserve to be and feel safe and we cannot stop until that is the case.”